The Prix Elysée is a two-phase prize to support creative work, in which the work-in-progress of 8 nominees and the winner’s finalized project are all promoted (publication and/or exhibition and/or installation, etc.).
The prize is open to photographers and artists who use photography in their practice, regardless of age or nationality, whose work has been the subject of first exhibitions and publications that have brought them national recognition, or even international visibility. However, they have not yet benefited from a mid-career retrospective. They are recommended by a reputed professional in the field of photography or art (museum, gallery, publishing house, journalism, etc.). All photographic genres and techniques are welcome. The prize has no theme. Proposed projects must be new and unrealized, i.e. never exhibited or published before, and must not have been submitted to any other prize.
During the first year, 8 nominees are selected upon their entry portfolios. Each will receive a contribution of CHF 5,000 for a first valorisation of their project.
The following year, an international jury examines the complete file of each nominee ad chooses the winner. She or he receives CHF 80’000. This sum is allocated partly to the production of the project and partly to the presentation of the project (book or exhibition), both of which must be completed on time and within budget. The curator will continue to accompany the winner in this process. The finalized project is presented at a major Photo Elysée event.