Diane Dammeyer Fellowship in Photographic Arts and Social Issues

The Diane Dammeyer Fellowship in Photographic Arts and Social Awareness, a partnership between the Museum of Contemporary Photography and School of Visual Arts at Columbia College Chicago, supports socially engaged photographers and photo-based practitioners in creating meaningful work within a community.

The fellowship fosters authentic partnerships between the artist and a community organization, with preference given to Chicago-based projects or those connecting Chicago to another community. The goal is to elevate public awareness of social, economic, and cultural issues through photography and inspire positive change.

The fellow will engage with Columbia College Chicago faculty and students and MoCP while developing their project, culminating in a public presentation, exhibition, and/or publication. A concentrated commitment is required from September to June, with flexible hours depending on project activities. Residency in Chicago is preferred, though applicants unable to relocate must provide a detailed schedule of their time on-site. Projects should align with Columbia’s academic calendar to maximize student engagement.

Eligible applicants have either an MFA in photography or a related creative field, or a BA with five years of post-degree creative practice. They must demonstrate a strong commitment to community engagement and artistic excellence.

Funded by photographer and Columbia College Chicago alum Diane Dammeyer, the fellowship was inspired by her experience as a photographer for Heartland Alliance. In collaboration with MoCP, this initiative expands its impact by leveraging the museum’s curatorial expertise and public engagement platforms. We recognize past supporters, including Heartland Alliance, Professor Emeritus Judy Natal, and Centro Romero, which has hosted recent fellowship projects. We are also grateful to Peter Fitzpatrick for working with previous fellows on exhibitions and satellite community engagement programs, and Filter Photo for showcasing completed projects. Above all, we thank Diane Dammeyer for her vision and generosity in supporting this impactful initiative.

To learn more about past Dammeyer Fellowship recipients and apply, please click this link.

If you have questions about this fellowship, please contact Alayna N. Pernell at [email protected] and Natasha Egan at [email protected].