Developed Work 2027

Developed Work is the Midwest Center for Photography's annual national fellowship competition, focused on thematically developed bodies of work rather than individual standout images. The brief is explicit: selection emphasizes a cohesive conceptual framework — submissions are evaluated on the body of work as a whole rather than its strongest image.

The Wichita, Kansas gallery exhibits selected work in person, with the 2027 exhibition running in March 2027. The winner receives the $200 Developed Work Fellowship Award and one year of online representation by MWCP, which functions as ongoing visibility for the work beyond the exhibition window.

Submissions are limited to U.S.-based photographers and require 5 to 14 images plus a brief artist statement explaining the work's intent. Entry fee is $50 for up to 5 images. The 2027 cycle deadline is November 1, 2026.

The competition runs alongside MWCP's other open calls, including the international Ten x Ten Small Works exhibition. Where Ten x Ten samples individual 10×10 inch prints across many photographers, Developed Work selects a single fellow per cycle whose practice exemplifies sustained thematic exploration.