A bold opportunity is now open: BMW ART MAKERS is inviting applications for its 2026 edition to honor the 200th anniversary of Niépce’s photography and to spotlight new voices in contemporary imagery.
BMW Group France launches the fifth edition of its patronage program, which supports a collaborating artist and curator in developing and installing a joint project. Each member of the duo receives a grant, plus funds allocated for research and production, with exhibitions planned at the Rencontres d'Arles and Paris Photo. The application window closes on December 31, 2025, and a jury will announce the winning pair in January 2026.
Background context
2026 marks a milestone year for photography, tracing back to Nicéphore Niépce, who produced the first permanent photograph in 1826. Niépce, along with his brother Claude, also contributed to the development of the internal combustion engine, underscoring how breakthroughs in imaging and mobility have reshaped culture and daily life. In this spirit, BMW strengthens its commitment to photographic patronage at the intersection of mobility and creativity, a lineage that began with the Niépce Museum residency in 2010 and evolved into the BMW ART MAKERS program in 2021. These historical threads provide rich material for artists and curators to rethink expression and commentary.
Call for applications
To celebrate photography’s bicentennial, the BMW ART MAKERS program invites proposals that honor tradition while imagining future directions. Drawing on Niépce’s exploratory ethos, this edition encourages exploring the dynamic relationship between image, innovation, and transformation, especially where creativity intersects with responsibility.
Since 1826, photography has been central to cultural and technological change. BMW’s mission today—toward smarter, more human-centered, and more sustainable mobility—aligns with that same drive. Teams consisting of an artist and a curator are invited to propose projects that reimagine how audiences engage with image, movement, and progress.
Important dates
- Deadline: December 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
- January 2026: jury reveals the winning duo
What the BMW ART MAKERS grant covers
- €10,000 for the artist
- €8,000 for the curator
- €15,000 allocated for research and production
- Exhibition production integrated with Paris Photo and Rencontres d'Arles
- Support for coordination and communication
Practical considerations for applicants
- Proposals should innovate or experiment with the chosen medium
- Design a lifecycle-oriented scenography that can be reused at both fixtured events
- Emphasize economical and responsible use of resources
- Offer an artistic perspective on contemporary issues or questions
Application details
Submit your proposal through the dedicated BMW ART MAKERS platform by 31 December 2025 at 23:59 CET. Additional information is available on BMW Group France’s Instagram account @bmwgroupculture_fr.
Selection process
Duo nominees will be invited in early January to present their project to the jury, which will announce the winner in January 2026.
Long-standing cultural commitment
For over five decades, BMW has supported culture, believing artists anticipate and illuminate society’s major challenges. The program reflects ongoing partnerships with Paris Photo (23 years) and the Rencontres d’Arles (15 years), reinforcing BMW’s role in elevating emerging talent and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration across art, music, architecture, design, photography, and the visual arts. The company continues to view cultural engagement as essential to safeguarding the future of culture and ensuring access for future generations.
For updates on BMW Group Culture and related initiatives, follow Instagram: @BMWGroupCulture.
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