Fixed Focus Fellowship

Aurora’s Fixed Focus Fellowship exists for one reason:

To help you stop talking about the work and start making it.

For one year, Aurora PhotoCenter will give up to 10 Indiana photographers ages 18-26 the tools, mentorship, resources, and community to turn ideas into finished work.

No gatekeeping.
No art-school enrollment required.
No single "right" way to be a photographer.

Just a year to focus.

The Fixed Focus Fellowship, which runs from January 29 - December 31, 2027, offers up to 10 early career artists working in photography the following benefits to help them create new work for sale, exhibition, display, and other opportunities.

WHO SHOULD APPly

The Fixed Focus Fellowship is open to all artists working in photography and living in Indiana, aged 18-26, without limitation to subject, style, working method, or academic training in the medium.

The Fixed Focus Fellowship is designed for a diverse group of early career creatives who seek resources and a supportive space where they can produce new photographic work for sale, display, exhibition, and other opportunities. Creatives who work in a medium other than photography may apply with a project that incorporates photography.

The Fixed Focus Fellowship is for:

* Photographers living outside Indianapolis with limited access to photographic facilities, creative peers, and professional opportunities.

* Recent photography graduates who no longer have access to campus darkrooms, printers, or faculty critiques and want to build a portfolio and start establishing an independent practice.

* Self-taught photographers who document family life and the local community and who want to exhibit, apply for grants, or receive professional mentorship.

* Multidisciplinary artists working across photography, installation, sculpture, or performance who want to strengthen the photographic component of their practice and learn professional printing techniques.

* Studio and fashion photographers incorporating fine art aspects into the work who want feedback and to make professional prints for display to clients.

* Artists exploring alternative processes who are interested in cyanotypes, wet plate collodion, photograms, or other alternative processes but lacks the equipment, training, and support needed to experiment consistently.

In the Fixed Focus Fellowship you can:

* Get to know other early career artists and share work
* Create and print a portfolio to show clients, apply for grad school, or do a portfolio review
* Figure out the right file sizes and formats for online applications and printing
* Connect with a mentor who can help guide the work and give the advice you need
* Take a workshop in a new photo process to expand creative practice
* Finish up a long term project that’s stalled
* Share new work over dinner once a month

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FELLOWSHIP

The Fixed Focus Fellowship includes:

* Free 1-year Aurora membership: Access to the darkroom, scanners, and printers.

* Free workshops: Aurora’s core workshops help you learn or refresh your skills in Developing B&W Film, Developing Color Film, Making a B&W Print, Scanning Basics, and Digital Printing Basics. Each of the core workshops are offered once a month, every month, during the Fellowship.

* A $1,000 credit for darkroom rental, scanning, digital prints, and alternative process workshops: To encourage the production of new work and experiences, this credit is Use It or Lose It! All services, including darkroom rentals, scanning, and digital printing, will be charged at the member rate. Read a full list of membership benefits and rates here.

* Monthly feedback session dinner with the FFF cohort: A core part of the Fellowship is meeting other artists, sharing work, getting feedback, and networking. The Fellows will meet the final Friday of every month during the Fellowship at 7pm for sharing work, conversation, and dinner provided by Aurora.

* One-on-one mentoring: Fellows will meet with Director Mary Goodwin to determine the mentor and mentoring that is best for their goals.

* Professional workshops on topics such as pricing your work and applying for grants and exhibitions: Fellows will be working on real applications for specific opportunities led by professionals in the field.

* A final exhibition of work made in the program at Aurora opening December 3, 2027: To showcase new work produced during the Fellowship, with all work for sale to support future practice.

What is not included in the Fellowship:

* Fellows purchase their own film, paper, and any other materials not explicitly included in the Fellowship
* Darkroom chemistry beyond Aurora’s basic stock Ilford chemicals
* Digital papers beyond Aurora’s house Moab papers (Juniper and Entrada)
* Key access to the facility

Fellowship EXPECtATIONS

Fellows will work independently and manage their own work schedules and goals. Outside of the workshop environment, technical support will be provided on a case-by-case basis.

Fellows will follow the same email reservation system used by all Aurora members. While we will try to accommodate every reservation request, a request does not guarantee access to specific tools and rental times.

Any credit not used before the end of the Fellowship on December 31, 2027, will revert to the program.

Unless otherwise arranged, each Fellow is expected to attend every Final Friday feedback session dinner during the Fellowship.

Read about Aurora’s Code of Conduct here..

HOW TO APPLY

Up to 10 Fellowships will be awarded in the 2027 cycle. Applications will be reviewed and selected by Aurora Founding Director Mary Goodwin and a group of local arts leaders.

Applications close: November 15, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: No later than January 1, 2026

To apply, please email the materials listed below to Mary Goodwin at info@auroraphoto.org. Use the subject line: Fixed Focus Fellowship 2027

Required Materials:

Portfolio: Submit up to 10 images or supporting materials (PDF, DOC, etc.) representing the work you would like to do in the Fellowship. Images must be 2000 pixels on the longest side at 72 dpi. Please ensure the work reflects your creative interests and passions.

Statement of Interest (maximum 250 words): Tell us why you would like to participate in the Fellowship and how you see it supporting the next phase of your creative practice.

Short Biography (maximum 200 words): Include your age and a short description of your practice and relationship to photography.

2 References: List the names and emails of two people familiar with your creative work

All submissions must be received by the stated deadline in order to be considered. Due to the high number of applications, Aurora is not able to provide individualized feedback on applications.

TIMELINE

August 1: Applications open
Applications close: November 15, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: By January 1, 2026
January 29, 2027: Program opening reception