WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF GETTING IN?
Approximately 1 in 10 applicants are accepted into the Chico Review.

IS THERE A WAIT LIST?
Yes, the wait list is chosen by the jury in case there is a cancelation or opening in the selected applicants. If you did not submit by the deadline you will not be included in the waitlist.

HOW DO THE MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS WORK?
They are open to all national and international photographers who are invited to attend. They are in the amount of the full tuition ($4850) and partial tuition ($1500). Merit scholarships are awarded to the highest rated projects, based on the quality of submitted projects.

SHOULD I ENTER EVEN IF I CAN NOT AFFORD THE $4850 TUITION FEE?
Absolutely, every applicant is considered for the 6 Merit Scholarships. There are also need-scholarships available to those who make under $40k annually and we will work with you on a payment plan if necessary. We use the resources from application fees to disseminate funds for merit scholarships, need-based scholarships and student discounts.

HOW DO THE ACADEMIC DISCOUNTS AND NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS WORK?
If you are a student after receiving the acceptance letter the applicant will need to submit proof of enrollment and you will receive a 10% discount on your tuition.

To apply for a need-based scholarship, after receiving the acceptance letter the applicant will need to submit the following in under 150 words 1. Your name and 2024 total household income. We do not need your tax forms. 2. Describe the circumstances around your financial need. 3. Share your goals for the Chico Review. We give out as many need-scholarships as possible, but resources are limited as we use the resources from application fees to disseminate funds for merit scholarships, need-based scholarships and student discounts.

HOW DOES THE SELECTION PROCESS WORK?
The selection jury and a representative from Charcoal Book Club rank every project. Highest ranked projects are invited to attend, the rest are placed on the ranked waitlist. Charcoal Book Club will break any ties that remain after judging has finished.

SHOULD I SUBMIT IF I HAVE APPLIED BEFORE AND DID NOT GET INVITED?
The jury and reviewers change each year, so yes.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA?
The jury is looking for cohesive, compelling bodies of work that may be relevant for the reviewers and that may benefit from wider recognition. Technical quality of images, structure and sequence of project, uniqueness of vision, and the application and consistency of that vision to the project.

HOW IMPORTANT IS MY PROJECT STATEMENT?
While project statements are very important, we feel the focus of our selection process should be on the work presented. It is optional to include a project statement.

WILL I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON THE WORK?
Due to the number of submissions the jury is unable to provide specific feedback.

IS THERE A TIME LIMIT WITHIN WHICH THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN?
No, you may submit any photograph regardless of the date it was taken.

MAY I SEND MY BOOK, POSTER, EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT, ETC.
Websites, books, posters, announcements and other materials will not seen by the judges and will not be reviewed.

CAN WE APPLY AS A DUO OR GROUP?
Yes, please use one artists name and information on the application, and in your project statement note that this is a collaboration and include all names. Please note that the group will receive one slot at the Portfolio Review, either one artist can come as a representative from the group or the group would sit together in front of each reviewer. Tuition and lodging will be added per additional attendee.

IF I AM ACCEPTED AND ATTEND HOW MANY REVIEWS WILL I RECEIVE?
(10) twenty minute formal reviews over four days.

WHO WILL BE REVIEWING MY PORTFOLIO?
Attendees receive reviews from a combination of both keynote speakers and reviewers, that’s the beauty of the Chico Review. Alumni Masterclass instructors, special guests, and media partners do not review portfolios as they are leading workshops and discussions at those times.

WILL I HAVE A CHOICE AS TO WHICH REVIEWERS I WILL SEE?
Yes, you will be asked to put all reviewers in order of your preference into an electronic lottery system. Chances are good that you’ll receive the majority of your requests.

CAN I ATTEND AN ALUMNI WORKSHOP INSTEAD OF THE PORTFOLIO REVEW?
Returning alumni have the opportunity to attend subsequent years of the Chico Review and take part in exclusive workshops and programming to develop the skills and grow the network of our Alumni. Unfortunately, first time attendees can not access these workshops their first year.

CAN I GET A REFUND?
All deposits, tuition payments and fees are non-refundable. This is not meant to be draconian, but reflective of the reality of the event timing. The process of preparing the review requires a substantial commitment of resources over the months leading up to the event, and by the time our attendees are selected there is less than 90 days until we all meet in person at Chico Hot Springs. Our focus and main priority during that time is to orchestrate a magical event for attendees, speakers, and reviewers. If you would like more info about this, please see our Participation Terms and Refund & Revocation Policy.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE SPEAKERS?
Each of our speakers must have at least two published photobooks and critical acclaim in both the gallery and publishing worlds.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE REVIEWERS?
The role of a reviewer is to give great feedback and to assist in connections and opportunities after the event. Each reviewer must either qualify as a speaker (as outlined above) or be involved (personally or through an institution) in promoting and advancing the work of other artists.