2015 Aimia | AGO Photography Prize kicks off

Twenty-seven photographers from around the globe nominated for $50,000 prize

TORONTO, April 28, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Aimia | AGO Photography Prize kicked off its 2015 program today by announcing a long list of semi-finalists. An international group of 12 curators, artists and scholars, each an expert in photography, nominated 27 exceptional artists from around the globe. The $50,000 CAD purse is awarded by public vote and honours living artists whose work in photography and video over the past five years has shown extraordinary potential.

The Aimia | AGO Photography Prize is Canada's most significant award for contemporary photography. Established in 2007, it was the first major art prize to allow the public to choose its winner. The Prize has a total annual value of $130,000, with $50,000 awarded to the winner, $5,000 awarded to each of the other shortlisted artists and $25,000 supporting a national scholarship program for students studying photography at select institutions across Canada. The remainder funds six-week residencies for all four short-listed artists in partnership with cultural institutions across Canada.

The 2015 Aimia | AGO Photography Prize long list includes:

• Atfal Ahdath (Lebanon)
• Cemil Batur Gokceer (Turkey)
• Scott Conarroe (Canada)
• Barry Doupe (Canada)
• Shannon Ebner (United States)
• Rana ElNemr (Germany/Egypt)
• Nir Evron (Israel)
• Public Studio Elle Flanders / Tamira Sawatzki (Canada)
• Matt Goerzen (Canada)
• Eric Gugliemi (Ivry-sur-Seine)
• Sasha Huber (Switzerland)
• Sven Johne (Germany)
• Dave Jordano (United States)
• Annete Kelm (Germany)
• Owen Kydd (Canada)
• Tatiana Lecomte (France/Austria)
• LUBRI (Bulgaria)
• Graeme Patterson (Canada)
• Celia Perrin Sidarous (Canada)
• Dawit L. Petros (Canada)
• Josephine Pryde (England)
• Xavier Ribas (Spain)
• Felipe Russo (Brazil)
• Khvay Samnang (Cambodia)
• Zineb Sedira (France)
• Hito Steyerl (Germany)
• Sascha Weidner (Germany)

"I'm impressed by the diversity of this year's long list, which speaks to the global reach of the Prize," says Matthew Teitelbaum, Director and CEO of the AGO. "The Aimia | AGO Partnership is much more than an art prize, and that is evidenced in the engagement we see from artists and nominators across the world and in the commitment to fostering the best artists in the photographic medium through the Prize's full program of residencies and scholarships. I congratulate all of the 2015 nominees."

"As part of our longstanding commitment to our communities, Aimia supports many Canadian arts and culture initiatives through partnership, donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities.  What makes our partnership with the AGO unique is that we work together, pooling resources and trading expertise to make this prize the best possible experience for the artists while continuing to foster artistic development both locally and around the globe," says Vince Timpano, President and CEO of Aimia in Canada. "On behalf of Aimia, I would like to congratulate each of this year's 27 nominated artists and thank the esteemed nominators, who have exposed us to such a diverse and talented group."

The international nominators for the 2015 Aimia | AGO Photography Prize included:

• David Diviney
• LaToya Ruby Frazier
• Erin Gleeson
• Felix Hoffman
• Alex Klein
• Latitudes
• Maha Maamoun
• Jesse McKee
• Gaëlle Morel
• November Paynter
• Chistina Topfer
• Amadou Chab Toure

A jury of three experts—headed by Adelina Vlas, associate curator of photography at the
Art Gallery of Ontario and including Deputy Director and Senior Curator of the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto, João Ribas; and acclaimed Paris-based photographic artist Mohamed Bourouissa—will select a shortlist of four artists, including at least one Canadian artist. These artists will receive a fully funded six-week residency in Canada and their work will be exhibited at the AGO beginning Sept. 9, 2015. The winner will be selected by public vote inside the exhibition and online at http://www.aimiaagophotographyprize.com, with voting beginning Sept. 15, 2015. The winner, who will be announced on Dec. 1, 2015, receives $50,000 CAD.

Please watch for the shortlist announcement on June 23, 2015. For updates on the prize and additional information, please visit http://www.AimiaAGOPhotographyPrize.com and follow @AimiaAGOPrize on Twitter.

ABOUT AIMIA
Aimia, a data-driven marketing and loyalty analytics company, has adopted two fundamental principles of loyalty, trust and reciprocity, as the pillars of its global social purpose - to create mutually-beneficial partnerships that leave a lasting impact in our communities. As an enthusiastic patron of the Arts, Aimia supports many Canadian and International arts and culture initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. Aimia has supported several Canadian cultural organizations including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Art Canada Institute, Business for the Arts, Canadian Art Foundation, the National Gallery of Canada, Luminato Festival, the Walrus Foundation and Canada's presentation at the International Art and Architecture Venice Biennale since 2006. Aimia is proud to engage in a dialogue around the arts through the Aimia l AGO Photography Prize and scholarship program, and through our office art installations in Montreal and Toronto. Visit us at www.aimia.com to learn more.

ABOUT THE AGO
With a collection of more than 80,000 works of art, the Art Gallery of Ontario is among the most distinguished art museums in North America. From the vast body of Group of Seven and signature Canadian works to the African art gallery, from the cutting-edge contemporary art to Peter Paul Rubens' masterpiece The Massacre of The Innocents, the AGO offers an incredible art experience with each visit. In 2002 Kenneth Thomson's generous gift of 2,000 remarkable works of Canadian and European art inspired Transformation AGO, an innovative architectural expansion by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry that in 2008 resulted in one of the most critically acclaimed architectural achievements in North America. Highlights include Galleria Italia, a gleaming showcase of wood and glass running the length of an entire city block, and the often-photographed spiral staircase, beckoning visitors to explore. The AGO has an active membership program offering great value, and the AGO's Weston Family Learning Centre offers engaging art and creative programs for children, families, youth and adults. Visit ago.net to find out more about upcoming special exhibitions, to learn about eating and shopping at the AGO, to register for programs and to buy tickets or memberships.

The Art Gallery of Ontario is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Additional operating support is received from the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts and generous contributions from AGO members, donors and private-sector partners.

The AGO acknowledges the generous support of Aimia, Signature Partner of the Photography Collection Program.

SOURCE AIMIA

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