2026 FOTOFOCUS BIENNIAL: The Long View
Biennial Opening Events: October 1–3, 2026
An ambitious collaboration between FotoFocus and the region’s museums, galleries, universities, and non-traditional spaces, the FotoFocus Biennial is a month-long celebration of photography and lens-based art that unites artists, curators, and educators from around the world. Now in its eighth iteration, the 2026 FotoFocus Biennial encompasses projects at venues across Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Northern Kentucky—the largest of its kind in America. This year’s Biennial showcases a wide range of original exhibitions, events, and projects, all centered around the theme, The Long View.
The 2026 FotoFocus Biennial theme, The Long View, considers aspects of time and perspective in photography and film, and how these mediums shape our understanding of the world.
The FotoFocus Biennial Opening Events (Thursday, October 1–Saturday, October 3, 2026) constitute the core of the Biennial, establishing the theme and dialogues that unite the broader programming. Featuring keynote lectures, conversations, performances, screenings, tours, and receptions with international participants, the Opening Events are designed to inspire conversations about the world through photography, film, and lens-based art.
While many venues are free and open to the public, the Biennial Pass offers access to special exhibitions and events during the month of October; an invitation to members-only events; and entry into the FotoFocus Biennial Opening Events. The Biennial Pass will once again be free in 2026.
Press Release (PDF): FotoFocus Announces 2026 Biennial Theme
About the Theme
Each FotoFocus Biennial is structured around a unifying theme. The 2026 FotoFocus Biennial theme, The Long View, considers aspects of time and perspective in photography and film, and how these mediums shape our understanding of the world. “The long view” is a phrase used to invoke a broader perspective. It suggests both distance and duration, i.e., looking far into the distance and looking for a long period of time. As an attitude toward history, the long view suggests a wise and measured perspective, one that takes into consideration both the distant past while also considering the distant future. The long view also describes in literal terms two primary functions of photography; photographic lenses both enable long-distance vision and long-duration viewing. The Long View theme considers photography as a metaphor for our attempt to grasp our place within the durational sweep of history.
The Long View acknowledges the semiquincentennial of the United States, encouraging a posture of reflection in regards to the grand sweep of our country’s history, its past, present, and future. Photography can show us many moments from that history but it can also serve as a metaphor for how we understand our past and decide to shape it over time.
How To Participate
FotoFocus is excited to announce Venue Applications are now available for the 2026 FotoFocus Biennial. Proposed exhibitions must have a confirmed venue during October 2026.
For additional information and questions related to the application process, please email lillyh@fotofocus.org.
FAQ
What is the Biennial?
Launched in October 2012, the FotoFocus Biennial is a month-long celebration of photography and lens-based art that unites artists, curators, and participants from around the world.
The Biennial takes place every two years. The next Biennial will be presented in October 2026.
Who can participate in the Biennial?
The Venue Application is open to any curator, photographer, lens-based artist, or organizer who has secured an exhibition space within one of the following regions:
- Greater Cincinnati
- Northern Kentucky
- Dayton, Ohio
- Columbus, Ohio
Applications must include photography, film, or lens-based art for consideration.
In 2024, the FotoFocus Biennial encompassed 107 projects at 86 Participating Venues across the region, including art galleries, museums, libraries, shops, restaurants, theatres, schools and universities, outdoor parks, and non-traditional spaces.
What does the Venue Application process look like?
Applications for the 2026 FotoFocus Biennial are due on September 5th, 2025. In order to access the application, each applicant will need to create a free account on Submittable, if they have not already done so.
Complete Application Guidelines can be found here.
How does the theme work?
Each FotoFocus Biennial is structured around a unifying theme. The 2026 FotoFocus Biennial theme, The Long View, considers aspects of time and perspective in photography and film, and how these mediums shape our understanding of the world. All accepted Biennial exhibitions must respond to the theme. The theme changes each Biennial, and is designed to be broad and approachable for venues.
To learn more about the 2026 Biennial Theme, read the latest Press Release.
Is funding available?
Yes. Applicants will be able to apply for a grant through Submittable. They will be asked to provide a complete budget outlining expenses and income, as well as relevant paperwork for tax purposes.
Not all accepted proposals will receive a Biennial grant, and grant requests are unlikely to be funded in full, so additional income sources may be required to realize the exhibition. Determinations will be made based on:
- Strength of the 2026 Biennial Venue Application
- Quality of the proposed exhibition
- Alignment with the FotoFocus mission and Biennial theme
- Feasibility of executing the exhibition as proposed
- Review of previously accepted Biennial exhibitions, if applicable
Exhibitions may be accepted into the Biennial without receiving a Biennial grant, and venues may receive grants outside, or in addition to, grants received from FotoFocus. Venues are also welcome to apply if they do not need financial support.
What can Biennial grant funds be used for?
Biennial grant funds can support the following expenses: artist and curator honorariums and fees, artist lecture and curatorial travel expenses, exhibition shipping and installation, loan and/or participation fees, catalogue or publication, reception hospitality, and educational and/or community engagement programs.
For a list of ineligible expenses, reference “What’s not allowed?” section below.
For a complete list of approved expenses, please review the Venue Application Guidelines.
What’s not allowed?
- Hosting events or receptions that conflict with the day reserved for FotoFocus programming during the Biennial Opening Events, Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Presenting an exhibition in which the majority of works are not photography, film, or lens-based media
- Using Biennial grant funds for ineligible expenses, including: salaries, taxes, benefits for staff, maintenance, lease, rental fees, insurance, office supplies, and marketing and promotional expenses, such as paid advertisements
- Presenting an exhibition that is open by appointment only or on view to the public for less than a substantial portion of the month of October
- Failing to offer free admission for Biennial Pass Holders during the month of October 2026
- Failing to comply with all deadlines for promotional material requirements, including but not limited to the Venue Marketing Form (due March 2026), Events Form (due July 2026), and the Closing Survey (due November 2026)
How can I participate in the Biennial?
- I represent a venue and already have a project in mind—Great! Fill out the Venue Application due September 5th, 2025.
- I’m an artist or curator with an idea looking for a space—You have several options:
- Secure a space for your exhibition, then complete the Venue Application.
- Apply to participate in the Biennial as a Call for Entry project. This application will be available in August 2025. Please note that this is a highly competitive category, with limited opportunities for inclusion.
- Contact our Venue Coordinator, Lilly Hinckley, who may be able to connect you with an available venue.
- I’m an avid lover of photography—Wonderful! Here are some ways to get involved:
- Attend the Biennial and sign up for the Biennial Pass.
- Submit work to be included in accepted exhibitions, many of which will be open calls that provide opportunities for artists of all ages and skill levels to participate.
- Volunteer with us! Opportunities to volunteer with FotoFocus during the Biennial will be announced in Summer 2026.
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