Sanlé Sory: Colour Years — Emerging Writers Open Call at The Photographers’ Gallery

Organisation: The Photographers’ Gallery, Nourishment and The Afroniche Society
Location: London, UK
Opportunity type: Open call for emerging writers
Fee: £100 per selected writer, plus additional benefits
Application deadline: 14 November 2026, 11:59 pm GMT

About the Opportunity

The Photographers’ Gallery, Nourishment and The Afroniche Society invite emerging writers to respond to Sanlé Sory: Colour Years, an exhibition exploring the vibrant portraits and photographic archive of Burkinabè photographer Sanlé Sory.

Through his studio, Volta Photo, Sory documented everyday life, youth culture, identity and social change in post-independence Burkina Faso from the 1960s onwards.

The open call welcomes writers interested in photography, art, popular culture, history, identity and the power of images in shaping how we understand ourselves and our communities.

Two emerging writers will be selected to produce an original editorial piece of 750–900 words inspired by the exhibition and its wider themes.

What Is Offered

Each selected writer will receive:

• A £100 writing fee.
• An exhibition goody bag worth over £100, including an exhibition book, poster, tote bag and fan scarf.
• A one-year membership to The Photographers’ Gallery.
• Complimentary exhibition access.
• Publication of their article on The Photographers’ Gallery’s website.
• Promotion through the organisers’ digital channels.
• Editorial guidance and support from The Afroniche Society.

Selected writers will also gain a published writing credit and exposure to audiences interested in photography, art and culture.

Eligibility

The opportunity is open to applicants who:

• Are aged 18 or over.
• Have approximately 0–5 years of writing experience, including unpublished or self-published work.
• Are not represented by a literary agent.
• Live in the UK or can visit the exhibition in London in person by 25 November 2026.
• Can produce a 750–900-word article within the agreed timeframe.

No writing qualification or previous publication experience is required. Applicants from all educational and professional backgrounds are welcome.

Selected writers will receive editorial support, with a provisional schedule of ten days after their exhibition visit to submit a first draft, followed by four days for revisions.

All submitted writing and ideas must be original and produced without generative AI.

Image: Courtesy of The Photographers’ Gallery.