Focus 2026

Atlanta Photography Group (APG) is now accepting entries from Georgia artist photographers for Focus 2026. This CFE is open themed and Anne Leighton Massoni, Executive Director of the Houston Center for Photography will be our esteemed juror.

This exhibition marks the 2nd year for the APG/Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia Purchase Award (MOCA GA), a $1,000 prize which is made possible through a generous grant from Chip Standifer. The selected artist will have their work become part of MOCA GA’s permanent collection and receive $1,000. This is a great opportunity to have your work considered by Annette Cone-Skelton, President / CEO / Director of MOCA GA for the museum purchase award.

Anne Leighton Massoni

Executive Director
Houston Center for Photography

Anne Leighton Massoni is Executive Director of the Houston Center for Photography in Texas. Before joining HCP she was the Dean and Managing Director of Education at the International Center of Photography in New York City. Among others, she has held academic positions at Cornell University, Tyler School of Art, and the University of the Arts. She has curated over 30 exhibitions including most recently solo exhibitions by Marc Ohrem-Leclef and Deborah Jack. She co-edited The Focal Press Companion to the Constructed Image in Contemporary Photography with Marni Shindelman. Massoni graduated with a MFA in Photography from Ohio University and BAs in Photography and Anthropology from Connecticut College. Her personal studio practice relates to ideas of both real and fabricated memories and identity, using a variety of film and digital techniques.

Houston Center for Photography

Starting in 1981 as a small visual artists’ organization, HCP has grown to become an exemplary fine art organization. Their gallery—free to the public—features some of the finest works of contemporary photography. HCP also offers over 300 photography classes and workshops year-round. Varying in competency levels, these classes are all taught by esteemed photographers and lecturers, including some of the masters of the medium. If you have an interest in photography, then HCP encourages you to join their vibrant, supportive and ever-growing community by becoming a member.

Website: https://hcponline.org

Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

MOCA GA’s mission is to collect and archive significant, contemporary works by the artists of the state of Georgia. To place the artists in a global context, the Museum’s exhibitions include Georgia artists and artists from around the world. Their programs promote the visual arts by creating a forum for active interchange between artists and the community.

MOCA GA was founded in 2000 and presented its first exhibition in 2002. In recognition of a void in the Atlanta-area art institutions, MOCA GA was devoted to the contemporary arts in Georgia. MOCA GA has grown from 250 works by 110 Georgia artists to more than 1,600 works of art by 375 Georgia artists. The permanent collection continues to expand in size and depth by 50-100 pieces per year due to generous donations from their corporate sponsors and individual donors.

MOCA GA is a central leader in the arts in Georgia through investment in the community and preservation of the legacy of the past, present, and future of local art. The museum opens an average of 15 exhibitions each year, and presents work that is dynamic, challenging, and innovative. MOCA GA encourages engagement and exchange between artists it features and the community it serves through regularly scheduled artist talks and other public programming.

Website: https://mocaga.org

ENTRY INFORMATION

CFE Dates: May 7 – June 5, 2026

Early Submissions: May 7 – 15, 2026
2 works: $35, 4 works: $50, 6 works: $60, 8 works: $75
Regular Submissions: May 16 – 31, 2026
2 images: $40, 4 images: $60, 6 images: $70, 8 images: $85
Late Submissions: June 1 – 5, 2026
2 images: $50, 4 images: $70, 6 images: $80, 8 images: $95

Student Submissions:
2 images: $30, 4 images: $45, 6 images: $55, 8 images: $70

Please not that submissions close on June 5, 2026 at MIDNIGHT ET.
ALL WORK MUST BE UPLOADED BY MIDNIGHT ET ON JUNE 5, 2026, OR THEY WILL NOT BE INCLUDED.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are available for this call for entry. APG offers need-based Scholarships for all of our exhibitions that will cover the submission entry fee. Don’t let a lack of funds prevent you from sharing your vision with the world. Be a part of the photography community and show your work today. Click HERE for more details.

Images which have been shown in either the Main or Maloof Galleries within the last 3 years are not eligible.

IMPORTANT DATES

Deadline For All Submissions: June 5, 2026, Midnight ET
Notifications of Selections: On or about June 12, 2026
Selected Prints Due at the APG Gallery: July 17, 2026 by 4PM ET

Exhibition Dates:  July 21 – August 21, 2026
Virtual Juror/Artist Talk: TBD
Opening Reception: July 23, 2026 – 7:00-9:00PM ET

FILE PREPARATION

• The juror will be selecting the images from all entries.
• Export images as .jpg. Resize to 2100 px on the longest side.
• Rename files to the titles of each work exactly as you wish it to appear (example: My Great Photo.jpg) Your name will be automatically prepended to the file upon upload.
• Create a text file with your Personal Info (name, email, phone, website/social media), Artist Statement (500 words max), Bio (250 words max), and Image list (in this order: Title, Year piece was created, Print/Image Size (H x W), estimated Framed Size (H x W) Medium (archival pigment print, inkjet print, silver gelatin, cyanotype, etc.), and save this file as a Word doc or PDF.
• The link to upload your files will be sent to you in your payment confirmation email. You will receive two emails after you pay. One will have the upload link. If you don’t receive two emails, check your spam folder.

In order to submit your work you must be a current APG member. Join or Renew Now!

All entries must be completed ONLINE. Do NOT email any image files

• Complete Online Registration & Payment
• The link to upload your files will be sent to you in your payment confirmation email. You will receive two emails after you pay. One will have the upload link. If you don’t receive two emails, check your spam folder.
• Once you get this link, you must be logged into the website in order to successfully upload your work.
• Upload Files to the Dropbox link found in the payment confirmation.
• If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact – gallery@AtlantaPhotographyGroup.org