The Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture is awarded annually to a photographer whose work demonstrates a compelling new vision in the genre of portraiture. Arnold Newman had an insatiable fascination with people and the physical world around him. In his work he explored the boundaries of portraiture and embodied the spirit of innovation in a form of art that dates back to the beginnings of the photographic medium. He was often heard to say “we make photographs with our hearts and with our minds.” It is with this principle that the Arnold Newman Prize is intended to assist a photographer to continue the pursuit of their work, and serve as a launching pad for the next phase of their career.
The Arnold Newman Prize was established by the Arnold and Augusta Newman Foundation in 2009 to recognize and reward excellence in new directions in photographic portraiture. The annual prize winner receives an award of $20,000 and is acknowledged in New York City with an exhibit and celebration. The winner’s work will also be exhibited at the PhoPa Gallery in Portland, Maine. The prize is funded by the Arnold and Augusta Newman Foundation and administered by Maine Media Workshops + College.