Each era presents its own unique challenges and opportunities, and young people’s perspectives are often very insightful, reflecting both their understanding of the present and their vision for the future. Through their lenses, we not only capture fleeting moments of the present but also get a glimpse into the spirit of their times, evolving cultural dynamics, and the pulse of society. By viewing the world through young eyes, we illuminate a generation’s aspirations and challenges, creating a lasting testament to our era for those who follow. The Witnessing the Present – International Youth Photography Competition welcomes remarkable photograph submissions from middle school and university students worldwide. Let the world discover the stories of our era through the eyes of youth.
Building on the collaborative spirit that launched the Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Scholarship Program, Singapore Good Soil Foundation and Inter Art Center/Gallery in Beijing have co-organized this photography competition to showcase the world as seen by our youth. Adopting the theme “Witnessing the Present”, the photography competition aims to encourage middle school to university students around the world (ages 15–22) to use the art of photography to showcase how today’s young people observe the world around them and aspire, dream, reflect, and struggle for the future.
Applicants can be from any nationality, and they must be aged 15 to 22.
The competition will officially start welcoming submissions on March 10, 2025 and end on June 10, 2025.
The competition offers talented youths attractive prizes, with winners standing a chance to earn a cash prize and opportunity to be part of a 4-day overseas volunteering learning trip with renowned educators during summer vacation!
1st Place: $4000 cash prize
2nd Place: $2000 cash prize
3rd Place: $1000 cash prize
The judging panel comprises of internationally renowned photographers, curators, cultural scholars and entrepreneurs
1. A thematic series of 5–10 original photographs (no AI-generated images).
2. Submissions are to Include:
Your photos (number them if a specific order is needed).
A written statement (250–600 words) in English or Chinese & English with identical content explaining the background, story, and message of your work
Captions (short captions in image file names; longer captions in a Word document).
Your biography (100–150 words).
3. File Format: .jpg with a minimum of 1000 pixels on the shorter side.
By submitting, you grant rights for use in exhibitions and publications related to this competition.
The subject of the email must be named as: Witnessing the Present – [Your Name] – [Contact Information: Email address & phone number]
Please provide your contact information in the email.
Winning artworks will be exhibited in Singapore and Beijing, giving your creative vision a global stage! These works will also be included in a photography book for worldwide distribution.
For any queries, please reach out to : contact@goodsoilfoundationsg.com
Hear from Zack Cao, co-founder of the Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program, as he reveals the motivation behind the “Witnessing The Present” Global Youth Photography Competition and the impact it hopes to create
Founded in April 2006 and located in 798 Art Zone, Beijing, Inter Art Center & Gallery is one of the most important professional institutions dedicated to photography in China. The current venue houses a gallery space, an editorial studio, an image workshop, and the Pixel Bookstore.
