Professional Practice in Photography

This intensive 3-hour masterclass with curator and artistic director Marina Paulenka offers emerging and mid-career photographers focused insight into professional practice, presentation, and career development. Participants will gain practical strategies for presenting, promoting, and positioning their work in galleries, festivals, and other contexts. Combining theory with actionable advice, the session helps participants develop a clearer approach to presenting their work and a roadmap for engaging with institutions, festivals, and funding opportunities internationally. What you will learn/do • prepare and edit a professional portfolio for different context; • explore conceptual approaches and formats for exhibition presentation; • build a strong artist statement, cv, and online presence; • identify opportunities for funding, grants, awards, and exposure; • communicate your practice effectively to curators, juries, and audiences. Masterclass details Open to emerging and mid-career artists working with photography. Maximum 15 participants. About the lecture Based in Berlin and originally from Croatia, Marina Paulenka has over 18 years of experience in artistic direction, curating, education, and cultural development, alongside her artistic practice. Her work spans visual, digital, and performing arts, with a focus on photography and new media. In 2008, she founded Organ Vida Festival (Zagreb), leading it until 2019, when she became artistic director of UNSEEN in Amsterdam. In 2022, she became Founding Director of Fotografiska Berlin, shaping its artistic vision and public identity. Her curatorial approach, informed by her Balkan background, engages with feminism, identity, human rights, and digital culture. She centers diverse global perspectives and explores how knowledge is shaped across art, science, and technology.