Summer 2026 has been an abundance of apocalyptic visions - images of silhouetted firefighters against a backdrop of burning forests, wildlife trapped as smoke engulfs their ruined homes, and once abundant waterways now dried out and barren. Across this haunting gallery, we witness the power of photography in communicating our continued environmental crisis.
But herein the paradox lies - photography, while essential, is beleaguered by its own litany of ecological harms: toxic chemicals, silver waste, plastic pollution, and much more. At the Sustainable Darkroom, we have strived towards ecological responsibility and environmental justice in seeking alternatives to traditional photographic materials and methods. However, as we continue to evolve, we still find ourselves asking - what does a truly sustainable future for photography look like? More than simply using plant-based chemistries, or recycling our darkroom plastics - but on a systemic, transformative level?
With this in mind, we are excited to announce the Sustainable Darkroom Futures Residency, a hybrid online programme culminating in an in-person exhibition and symposium in partnership with the Northern Centre of Photography and the Photography Research Group: Bridging Photographies, Cultures, Communities at the University of Sunderland. We are supported by Arts Council England, using public funding from the National Lottery, and The Grocers’ Charity. Through this open call, we are seeking five individuals to propose research and development projects for innovative, sustainable systems in photography. We encourage applicants to think beyond the established norms in this sector, and to envision radical, unorthodox, even outlandish ideas that look at the bigger picture of photographic systems. This includes not only the material, but the philosophical, the political, legal, structural and beyond.
Research topics may include (but not limited to): darkrooms, commercial photo labs, galleries, universities, waste systems, legal/political frameworks, architecture, civil engineering, AI, digital and analogue technology production.
As we encourage adventurous submissions, you don’t have to create a functioning version of your proposal by the end of the residency - although it is encouraged. Prototypes, blueprints, test images, written papers, and more will suffice - we prioritise imagination and creativity in submissions, allowing for the speculative and conceptual to thrive.
We are NOT seeking submissions on already well-established processes, such as how to make a plant-based developer, or toning cyanotypes with botanicals. However, systemic thinking associated with those topics is allowed. For example:
- Proposal on making developers from garden herbs. NO.
- Proposal on setting up a solar-powered system for treating used developer. YES.
The first is already known. The second is a new system that has the potential to enact lasting change for the future of photography.
What we provide:
- Six-month hybrid residency supporting five UK-based artists (two places are reserved for residents of Northern England (from South Yorkshire to the Scottish Borders) and two places are reserved for artists with disabilities (applicants may fulfil both these criteria). Please note, you will have to provide evidence that you are a resident in Northern England.
- Grant of £3,400 to support research, development and final project outcome.
- A series of bi-weekly online seminars from a range of diverse experts including Renata Marques Leitão from the Department for Human Centred Design, Rob Hopkins from Transition Town, Tim Crossland from Plan B and Defend our Juries, Dominic Wilcox and more.
- Online bi-weekly mentorship with project-specific development.
- Access to facilities and technical support at the University of Sunderland for testing and completing prototypes.
- Participation in the exhibition and symposium in Sunderland, October 2027.
- Travel stipend and accommodation for the exhibition and symposium.
- Inclusion in the online publication of the final research documents.
What we expect of you if selected:
- Participation in the final exhibition with prototypes, visual materials, blueprints, etc.
- Finalised written project report for publication in an online book. Minimum 2000 words (support available if applying for one of the access places).
- Participation in all online sessions, unless reasonably unable to do so (illness, etc.).
- Participation in mid-point project presentations (online).
- Physical attendance at the exhibition and symposium in Sunderland.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
