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Event History

Initiated in 2018 and now in its fourth edition, the contest attracts a growing number of young artists from all over the world every year. The initiative was launched initially by the 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS Gallery and was then embraced in 2020 by the Fondazione culture e musei and MUSEC in Lugano, with the aim of strengthening cross-border collaboration and supporting the promotion of young artists' work. A jury composed of major personalities from the world of culture and photography will select four finalists from the international photographic scene.

What Makes this event different?

There is no theme or fee to enter just the stipulation of the images being "Unpublished" and from the age group of 18 to 36 years old

Copyright Policy

The rights to the photographs remain the exclusive property of the author, who authorises their use free of charge for events or publications and merchandising related to the contest and for other activities related to the institutional or promotional purposes of FCM Lugano. Each author is personally responsible for the works submitted, and by participating in the contest he/she permanently and expressly authorises the FCM to use the submitted images free of charge, for the purposes described above. The FCM commits itself to always cite the name of the author as foreseen by the regulations in force. We inform you that the personal data provided by the competitors will be used for the activities related to the realization of the contest according to the regulations in force. Submitted material will not be returned. The photographs of the winners printed by and at the expense of the FCM become part of the FCM art collections and are the property of the FCM, which may use them in the future free of charge for any total or partial reiteration of the exhibition.

Image Usage Rights

By taking part in this contest the authors of the photos automatically declare that they are responsible for the submitted material. Therefore, they commit themselves to exclude any responsibility of the organisers towards third parties, also towards any subjects depicted in the photographs. The participant declares that he/she does not infringe the rights of third parties and, if he/she depicts subjects, that he/she has the relevant authorisations or consent. The participant must inform any interested parties (portrayed persons) in the cases and ways envisaged by current legislation, and obtain consent for the dissemination of the images. Under no circumstances may the images submitted contain data that can be qualified as sensitive. Each participant also declares that he/she is the sole author of the images submitted and therefore the sole holder of all rights. The organisers also reserve the right to exclude from the contest any photos that do not comply, in form or subject.

The UNPUBLISHED PHOTO 2025 contest, promoted by the Fondazione culture e musei of Lugano (FCM) with MUSEC-Lugano, is organized in collaboration with the 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS Gallery (Milan) and the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere e Arti (Venice), with support from the Fondazione Ada Ceschin e Rosanna Pilone (Zurich).

Eligibility:
The international competition is free and open to young photographers born between 1995 and 2007.

Submission Guidelines:
From January 20 to March 3, 2025 (12:00 am local time), applicants must submit a cohesive unpublished photographic project of 10 images. A jury of international photography and communication experts will select four finalist portfolios.

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: CHF 3,500
• 2nd–4th Prizes: CHF 500 each

The winners will also receive a professional catalogue publication featuring their submissions and an exhibition at MUSEC-Lugano. FCM covers all associated costs, totaling CHF 50,000.

Technical Requirements:
Finalists must provide high-quality digital files (TIFF, min. 300 dpi, Adobe RGB 1998). The prints, produced by FCM, will be added to the MUSEC photographic collections.

Rights and Usage:
By participating, entrants authorize FCM to use their images for contest promotion and exhibitions, crediting the artist as outlined in the rules. Submitted works become part of the MUSEC collection and will not be returned.

Exhibition and Legacy:
The exhibition introduces contemporary trends and languages to collectors and photography enthusiasts. After its conclusion, the works remain in MUSEC's photographic heritage, which includes over 40,000 pieces spanning from the mid-19th century to today.

Personal data will only be used for contest-related activities per regulations. The printed works of the winners, funded by FCM, remain the property of FCM for potential future exhibitions.