CitiesToBe, the urban think lab of Barcelona-based urban innovation consultancy, Anteverti, is now accepting submissions for the 2026 CitiesToBe Photo Award from photographers and visual artists worldwide to explore the role of “third places” in contemporary urban life. The competition focuses on shared spaces such as public squares, libraries, cafés, and other places where people meet, interact, and build communities outside their homes and workplaces.
The 2026 edition asks participants to examine how these shared spaces are changing when digital technology and social media increasingly influence how people connect and experience cities. Photographers are encouraged to explore whether these places can continue to support conversation, inclusion, community, and everyday social interaction.
Participants are required to submit a photographic series of 10 to 20 images exploring the theme. The images must have been taken after January 1, 2024, and AI-generated or synthetic images are not eligible. Each participant can submit only one project.
The competition is open to photographers, visual artists, and collectives of any nationality who are at least 18 years old. There is no submission fee.
One winning project will receive €1,500, while five finalist projects will each receive €500. The winning and finalist projects will also be published as photo essays on the CitiesToBe website and promoted through its digital channels.
Participants will be assessed based on how well their work addresses the “Third Places” theme, the strength and coherence of the project, artistic quality, and its engagement with the complexity of urban life.
Submissions close on September 30, 2026.
For more information, please visit https://www.citiestobe.com/photoaward.
