Photo Urbanism Fellowship 2026–27 in New York City

Photo Urbanism Fellowship 2026–27 in New York City

The Design Trust for Public Space is a New York City–based nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality and accessibility of the city’s public realm through research, design, advocacy, and collaborative projects. Its programs bring together designers, artists, community organizations, government agencies, and residents to address challenges affecting New York City’s streets, parks, plazas, and other shared environments. The organization’s Photo Urbanism Program, founded in 2001, supports photographers whose work examines and documents New York City’s public spaces, using photography to understand the city and communicate ideas about its urban environment.

The 2026–2027 Photo Urbanism Fellowship is connected to the Design Trust’s Untaped project, which examines regulatory barriers that make it difficult for cultural organizations and community groups to organize arts, educational, and cultural activities in public spaces. The project advocates for a simpler permitting system and greater opportunities for New Yorkers to activate shared spaces. Through the fellowship, photography is positioned as both an artistic practice and a form of urban documentation and advocacy.

The Design Trust is seeking photography project proposals for its 2026–2027 Photo Urbanism Fellowship. The fellowship focuses on the theme of open and communal use of public space, asking photographers to document the ways in which New York City’s parks, plazas, open streets, sidewalks, and other public spaces function as places for arts, culture, education, celebration, and community connection.

The selected Fellow will develop a self-directed photography project documenting the role of public spaces as sociocultural commons. Projects may explore how artists, cultural organizations, educators, community members, local businesses, and other groups transform shared spaces into places of belonging, creativity, learning, and connection. Particular interest is placed on historically marginalized neighborhoods and on the everyday activities and collective efforts that make public spaces more welcoming, accessible, and equitable.

The fellowship is intended to create a compelling visual record of the many events and activities taking place throughout New York City’s public realm, ranging from open-street programs and farmers’ markets to live music, cultural programming, educational activities, and other community gatherings.

The selected photographer will devote the majority of the fellowship to developing the project, including photography, image editing, programming, and exhibition planning. The Fellow will also participate in mentorship and educational activities with young photographers and contribute to a public program connected to the project.

The fellowship culminates in a solo exhibition and a final body of photographic work. Through the broader Untaped initiative, the resulting work may also contribute to conversations about equitable public-space policy and the importance of cultural programming in New York City.

• Photography
• Visual Art
• Documentary Photography
• Social Practice / Community-Based Art
• Public Space / Urbanism
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Must be based in New York City.
• Must be available to participate in meetings with the Design Trust, CUNY Macaulay Honors College, and the Youth Photography Workshop Intensive Teaching Fellow.
• Must be able to commit to a nine-month fellowship, beginning October 1, 2026.
• Full-time students are not eligible because of the potential time commitment involved.
• Part-time students may apply.
• Applicants with approximately 5–7 years of photography experience are preferred.
• Demonstrated experience or interest in teaching photography, working with youth or college students, or leading youth engagement is preferred.

The fellowship is specifically designed for photographers who can undertake a self-directed project focused on New York City’s public spaces. Because the project requires extensive local research, photography, meetings,…