PHOTOFAIRS New York, returning for its second edition to the Javits Center from Sept  6 – 8, 2024, is pleased to announce the second edition of the 21c Acquisition Prize. An annual award established in partnership with 21c Museum Hotels and in collaboration with Chief Curator and Museum Director Alice Gray, the Prize was launched to support today’s most dynamic artists, working in a wide range of media and addressing the pressing issues of our time.

Alice Gray Stites says, ’21c is excited to be returning to PHOTOFAIRS New York this September to award an acquisition prize for a lens-based artwork that addresses important current issues utilizing compelling, innovative aesthetics. We were very impressed by the diversity and strength of the exhibitors, artworks, and programming in 2023, and expect to make meaningful discoveries and connections again this year.’

In the first edition of the 21c Acquisition Prize, work by three outstanding photographers were acquired: Caleb Kwarteng Prah (Nil Gallery), Lucia Engstrom (Von Lintel Gallery) and a piece by Emma Safir (Baxter St at the Camera Club of New York). Co-founders of 21c Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson said: ‘The work at PHOTOFAIRS New York is exceptional in caliber and truly sophisticated, with so many interesting examples of artists pushing the boundaries of photography. The three works joining the collection represent a mixture of international artists and innovative practices that build on the strengths of the 21c Museum Hotels collection. We are looking forward to presenting these works in future exhibitions.’