In celebration of its 75 years of service to older adults, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is hosting a photography contest to redefine aging as a period of vitality, purpose, and connections. Our goal is to break down stereotypes of aging in America by showing older adults who are engaged in life—interacting with others across generations, volunteering and working in their communities, and being physically and mentally active. NCOA invites photographers to submit images, and the personal stories of the subjects depicted in the photos as they reflect on what aging well means to them.
NCOA will grant the following awards:
1 First Prize: $1,500
1 Second Prize: $800
1 Public Vote Award: $600
7 Merit Awards: $300 each
10 Honorable Awards: $150 each
1. Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 @ 11:59 p.m. Eastern
2. Winners Notified: April 15, 2025
3. Public Voting: Opens May 15, 2025
4. In-Person Exhibition at the conference: May 26-May 28, 2025, at Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
5. Public Vote Winner Announced: May 30, 2025
6. Awards Mailing: June 15, 2025
7. Additional Gallery Exhibition curated by mosaicARTs in DMV areas: TBA
A special invited Jury and NCOA Committee will select finalists.
1. All entrants must use the online entry system 2025 NCOA Call for Entry
2. Only color photographs are accepted. Black and white photos and AI-generated images are not allowed. There are no restrictions on camera shoots, allowing for creative freedom. Artists can utilize any camera available, whether it is a professional DSLR, a smartphone, or a vintage film camera, to document their stories and experiences. All unique perspectives are encouraged to showcase the richness of real life.
3. All submissions must include a brief statement or story of at least 100 words about each submitted photo. Please do not include the artist’s biography in the statement; the gallery will request it from selected artists later.
4. Submit high-resolution images (300 dpi) in JPEG format, with a maximum size of 5 MB for jurying. The NCOA gallery will print 20 selected award images for the exhibition. Award winners must provide a high-resolution file of at least 20 MB for canvas printing.
5. Name your file using the following format: First Name-Last Name_Image Title.jpeg (e.g., Andrea-Smith_My Grandmom.jpeg). You must name and title each image. Submissions labeled “untitled” will be removed from the jury process.
6. Ensure that your images meet the size requirements for social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
7. Artwork previously submitted will not be accepted.
This call invites professional and amateur photographers in the United States only. Photo subjects also must live in the United States. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is eager to discover captivating stories and showcase authentic, everyday individuals.
Total Media: Minimum: 2, Maximum: 10 Entry Fee: $0
1. NCOA will provide attribution for selected artists at the virtual ncoaGallery and onsite at its 2025 Age+Action Conference in Arlington, VA, May 26-28, 2025. By submitting images and statements, artists grant NCOA the right to use these images to promote the arts and artists and to support the mission of aging well for all. This includes sharing the selected photos on NCOA’s websites and social media platforms, in NCOA printed materials, and on the ncoaGallery site.
2. Twenty award-winning photos will be printed on premium-quality canvas for exhibition and donated to the NCOA auction fundraiser at the 2025 Age+Action conference. Any funds raised from this exhibition will be used to advance NCOA’s mission of improving the lives of older adults.
3. Ownership of the work remains with the artist. All credits for the artwork belong to the respective artists. Artists may sell their works on the ncoaGallery and are responsible for any online transactions during and after the exhibition. No commission.
