On the Shelf 2026

Location
Filter Space, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Open to
Photo-based book artists with an open theme. Eligible submissions include self-published, handmade, and commercially published photo books. Books created by or featuring multiple artists are eligible. Submitted books must have been completed within the last three years.

Application Fee
$25 USD per photo book project. A fee-waived application option is also available.

What's Provided

• Exhibition at Filter Space as part of the 2026 Filter Photo Festival.

• Juried by Nick Larsen (Radius Books).

• Juror's Choice Award: $500 USD cash prize.

• Honorable Mention Award.

What the Artist/Applicant Must Cover

• Shipping costs to and from Filter Space if selected.

• A prepaid return shipping label must be included if the artist wishes to have the book returned. Alternatively, artists may donate their book to Filter Photo's public photo book library.

Duration
Exhibition: September 4 – October 31, 2026.

Deadline
July 15, 2026 (11:59 PM CT).

Additional Notes

• Submit up to 10 JPEG images representing one photo book project, including the cover and selected interior pages or features.

• Accepted artists will be notified in early August 2026.

• Accepted books must arrive at Filter Space by September 1, 2026.

• A public reception will take place on September 25, 2026, during the Filter Photo Festival.