Delivery: March-September 2026
Fee: £3000
Timeline: 10 days total – 5 events plus prep + postproduction.
About
Open Eye Hub (Wigan PhotoHub project) is a bold initiative to establish Wigan as a regional photography hub and build an inclusive photography movement that enables communities to authentically document and share their own narratives.
Developed in partnership with Open Eye Gallery and Wigan Council, the Hub champions socially engaged photography as a tool for creative learning, collaboration, and visibility for local talent – while connecting Wigan & Leigh’s stories with national and international conversations.
The programme includes:
- Two major socially engaged photography commissions exploring identity, place, and social change.
- Public exhibitions in unexpected spaces across the borough and in the new PhotoHub space at Leigh Town Hall.
- Talks, workshops, and portfolio reviews co-curated with the community to inspire and develop local photographers.
- A Career Accelerator Fellowship providing mentorship and hands-on experience for emerging talent.
They work collaboratively with local people, artists, and communities to co-create projects that challenge stereotypes and celebrate authentic stories.
Wigan PhotoHub aims to create a vibrant, connected photography ecosystem – one that empowers underrepresented voices, nurtures creative careers, and positions Wigan as a pioneering cultural destination in the North.
The Project
Humans of Wigan is an ambitious documentary photography project celebrating the diverse faces and stories of Wigan Borough. Inspired by Daniel Meadows’ Free Photographic Omnibus and Humans of New York, we will create a mobile photography studio that travels across the borough, offering free professional portraits and capturing personal narratives. The project will culminate in a public outdoor exhibition and contribute to updating local photographic and oral history archives.
How to Apply
Please Send the following to: sarah@openeye.org.uk:
CV and portfolio (max 10 images)
Two references
Answers to the following questions (written OR as short video/voice notes, 2–3 minutes max per question):
Questions:
What does socially engaged photography mean to you, and how would you apply this approach to Humans of Wigan? (250 words)
(They want to understand your philosophy and how you connect with communities.)
Tell us about a project where you worked collaboratively with a community or group. What did you learn from that experience? (250 words)
(This helps gauge your experience and adaptability.)
How would you make the pop-up studio welcoming and inclusive for people from all walks of life? (250 words)
(They’re looking for practical ideas and sensitivity to diverse needs.)
Please explain how you would approach this project?
Answer Format
Applicants can submit written responses or record answers as short videos or voice notes (2–3 minutes max per question).