2026 Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture

The Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture is a $20,000 prize awarded annually to a photographer whose work demonstrates a compelling new vision in photographic portraiture. The jury will select a Top Ten, from which the winner and three finalists will be chosen. The three finalists receive a $500 stipend each. All artists recognized in the Top Ten will be included in the online exhibitions hosted by Maine Media and the Griffin Museum of Photography. The Winner and Finalists will be featured in an exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Photography in December 2026.

In addition to the $20,000 cash prize, the 2025 Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture will include a significant new benefit for artists – a professionally produced publication showcasing the work of the prize recipient, three finalists, and six additional photographers recognized in the Top Ten.

This softcover, perfect-bound publication will serve as a lasting record of the year’s most compelling approaches to photographic portraiture. It will include a feature on the prize recipient, selected works by the Finalists and Top Ten artists, and contextual information about Arnold Newman’s legacy, the history of the prize, and the role of Maine Media as its steward.

Each of the ten selected photographers will receive a number of printed copies, with the prize recipient receiving an expanded allotment to support the promotion of their work. A limited edition of additional hardcover copies will be distributed to photography festivals, museum and university libraries, collectors, and partner institutions—ensuring broad visibility for the selected artists at a professional level that is often cost-prohibitive for individual photographers. The prize recipient will also receive several copies of the hardcover edition.

In a time when publications remain one of the most powerful ways to elevate an artist’s voice and project, this new initiative offers both recognition and real-world impact.

The Prize is generously funded by the Arnold & Augusta Newman Foundation and proudly administered by Maine Media.

The Griffin Museum of Photography will host a solo exhibition of work by the prize recipient and three finalists in December 2026. There will be a reception for the exhibit in December.

Image: The Weight of the Earth © Debmalya Choudhur, Winner 2025