The Chico Review is the country’s premier Photobook Retreat. Organized by Charcoal Book Club, The Chico Review takes place over six nights at Chico Hot Springs Resort, near Livingston Montana. Sixty-four applicants will be selected by our jury and invited to spend the week with over twenty of the most influential and creative photographers, book makers, gallerists, museum curators, and photobook publishers in the industry. One full scholarship and five partial scholarships will be awarded. Student discounts and need-based scholarships will be available to those selected who qualify.

Attending artists receive ten formal reviews by speakers and reviewers and take part in artist lectures, panel discussions, peer reviews, Q&A sessions, and additional evening programming over the seven day event. 

At the end of the event, one grand prize winner will be announced and their project will be published and distributed by Charcoal Book Club.

• 1 Charcoal Publishing Prize - The Charcoal Publishing Prize will be awarded to one attending photographer. The selected project will be published and distributed worldwide by Charcoal Book Club.
  

• 6 Merit Scholarships - One full tuition scholarship ($4750) and five partial tuition scholarships ($1500) to the Chico Review will be awarded to six accepted attendees. Scholarships are awarded based on the quality of submitted projects.
  

• 64 Selected Artists - Sixty-four total photographers will be invited to travel to take part in this juried photobook retreat. These attendees are chosen by our jury based on the merit of their submitted project.

  *Need-based scholarships and student discount available upon acceptance.

Schedule

Each day will include three catered meals, two artist lectures from one of this year's speakers, daily portfolio reviews, and unscheduled free time. Each attendee will have ten 20-minute portfolio reviews with a mix of our speakers and reviewers. Over the course of four days, you will spend time reviewing your work and gaining insight from our featured speakers, reviewers, and Charcoal Book Club staff. During unstructured time (including one entirely free day in the middle of the week), attendees can relax around the lodge and hot springs or explore the surrounding area - bookstores and saloons in Livingston, wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, and the ranch land of Paradise Valley.

Accommodation

We've reserved private and shared rooms on the 150-acre property. Room sizes and amenities differ, and we're offering them on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll have the opportunity to select your accommodation upon acceptance. Activities at Chico start at its steamy natural hot springs, with two open-air pools averaging 96 and 103 degrees year-round. The Yellowstone River and surrounding spring creeks that slice through the wide-open glacial valley are fly fishing meccas during warmer months.

Menu

You'll eat well at Chico Hot Springs. The extensive gardens produce abundant vegetables thanks to rich soil that is heated by the geothermal runoff from the natural hot springs. There's a dining room, cocktail lounge, saloon, and diner on the premises, and we'll provide you with three square meals a day. "Chico is just quintessential Montana," says owner Colin Davis. "We get the rancher down the road who drops in for a steak and a glass of Jim Beam. Then a bit of Hollywood could show up for a bottle of Sassicaia”.