Arnold Newman Prize Grant

The Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture, established in 2009, recognizes emerging photographers with a $20,000 award. In 2025, the prize will expand to feature a professionally produced publication showcasing the winner and finalists' work, further elevating their artistic careers and contributions to photography.

The Mission
Arnold Newman had an insatiable fascination with people and the physical world around him. In his work, he constantly explored the boundaries of portraiture and embodied the spirit of artistic innovation. He was also a passionate teacher–he taught at Maine Media every summer for over 30 years. In honor of Arnold’s legacy as both a photographer and mentor, The Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture recognizes excellence in a new generation of photographers by awarding $20,000 to a winning photographer and elevating the work of the winner and three finalists in the press and through an exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Photography. The prize, the second largest in the United States, is designed to assist the winner in continuing the pursuit of their work and to serve as a launching pad for the next phase of their careers.
History of the Prize
The prize was established in 2009 by the Arnold and Augusta Newman Foundation. Beginning with the 2017 prize, three finalists are selected each year in addition to the winner. In 2018, Maine Media partnered with the Griffin Museum of Photography to host an annual exhibition of work by the winner and finalists each year.
The Arnold Newman Prize For New Directions in Photographic Portraiture
The Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture is a $20,000 prize awarded annually to a photographer whose work demonstrates a compelling new vision in photographic portraiture. The jury will select a Top Ten, from which the winner and three finalists will be chosen. The three finalists receive a $500 stipend each. All artists recognized in the Top Ten will be included in the online exhibitions hosted by Maine Media and the Griffin Museum of Photography.
In addition to the $20,000 cash prize, the 2025 Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture will include a significant new benefit for artists – a professionally produced publication showcasing the work of the prize recipient, three finalists, and six additional photographers recognized in the Top Ten.