About ANPCE
History
The Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition (ANPCE) is one of the Allegany Arts Council’s signature events, now entering its twelfth year. Established in 2015, it began as a way to showcase photography talent in the region, but quickly grew into a nationally-recognized competition, and since has invited photographers from across the country, as well as an illustrious group of jurors, to take part.
Through its lifespan, the competition has drawn photographers from nearly every state, and has served as a model for other organizations seeking to develop programs of their own. It has raised the profile of a small Appalachian community and brought with it members from across the country, who support terrific art programs regardless of where they live.
The competition has always featured three categories, black and white (monochrome), color, and a third which has continued to evolve. In 2024, we introduced Photography as a 3-D Art Form and are excited to see what creative photographers do with additional dimension.
In 2024, for our 10th anniversary, we published a commemorative book featuring photos from our ten year history, recollections of our esteemed jurors, and information about our dedicated volunteers, copies of which remain available.
In 2026, the contest offered $6,500 in cash prizes to winning photographers and the exhibition will took place at the Allegany Museum’s new Appalachian Creative Expressions Center, located in Cumberland, Maryland.
Call For Entry
The 2027 Call For Entry has not opened at this time.
Prize Information
The 2027 program has not established prizes to winning photographers at this time.
2027 ANPCE Sponsorship
Your financial support directly impacts the national reach of our publicity efforts, the quality of prizes offered, and our ability to attract top-notch jurors.
We trust you share our deep belief in the arts as a positive force in our community, and hope you will continue to support us by making your tax-deductible contribution to the ANPCE.
Sponsors receive recognition in all communications pertaining to the competition, including in digital and print formats, and in all media and press releases. Sponsors are invited to attend and are recognized at the competition’s Public Opening & Awards program and will receive an invitation to the 2027 event(s).
Bronze
$100
Silver
$250
Gold
$500
Diamond
$1,000
Platinum
$2,500
2027 ANPCE Juror
The 2027 Juror has not been selected at this time.
2027 Vision & Verse
The Vision and Verse competition, sponsored by the Allegany Arts Council, seeks to explore the intersection between image and text: photography and poetry.
Submissions for the 2027 Vision & Verse Competition will open sometime next year.
All submissions are intended to be based on photographs exhibited at the 13th annual Allegany National Photography Competition and Exhibition (ANPCE) show.
Rules and Guidelines:
- Each participant may select one to three photographs and reflect on or respond to them in a poem. Limit of 3 entries per person. Poems can be about the same image or about up to three different images.
- Submissions must be original poems, written in response to the selected photograph. All poetic forms are welcome (e.g., free verse, sonnet, haiku, etc.).
- Indicate the selected photograph title and artist name (in addition to your own name and contact information).
- Poems must be fewer than 50 lines.
- Poems must be the original work of the poet and not previously published.
- Language should be appropriate for all audiences. Offensive or discriminatory content will be disqualified.
Submission Process:
- Submissions must be in .docx or .pdf format.
- Submit via the online portal provided by the Allegany Arts Council by midnight Tuesday, April 21.
Judging Criteria:
- Poems will be evaluated on distinctiveness, craft, and alignment with the ekphrastic prompt.
Cash prizes:
- 1st Place, $100; 2nd Place, $50; and 3rd Place, $25.
- Winners will be invited to read their work at the show’s Closing Reception.
Rights and Permissions:
- By submitting your poem, you grant the Allegany Arts Council the right to publish your work in social media and on our website, with appropriate attribution.
Digital Gallery Archives
ANPCE’s Digital Gallery Archives feature high-resolution digital images of previous exhibitions. The Allegany Arts Council will continue to update the ANPCE archival library.
ANPCE Committee
Committees & volunteers are crucial to the success of all of our events & programs. The AAC would like to extend a very special thanks to the team behind ANPCE:
- Michael Hunter Thompson, Co-Chair
- Martin Heavner, Co-Chair
Clara Porcello - Penny Knobel-Besa
- Janelle Muletz
- Ann Townsell
- Doug Schwab
- Robert Hein