On March 2nd, the PhotoVogue Festival will host the official announcement of the MPB Grant recipient. This prestigious award, a collaborative effort between MPB and PhotoVogue, will provide one artist with a €5,000 voucher, enabling them to invest in pre-owned photographic and video equipment. This initiative underscores a significant commitment to nurturing creative talent and ensuring artists have access to the tools they need to bring their visions to life. Attendees are encouraged to be present for this pivotal moment in the festival's agenda to witness the revelation of this year's honoree.
MPB, established in 2011 by Matt Barker, has grown to become the world's largest online marketplace for used photography and video gear. The platform's foundational principle is to make high-quality equipment affordable and accessible, fostering a circular economy where camera gear remains in use for longer. By recirculating over 615,000 cameras, lenses, and accessories annually across the UK, US, and Europe, MPB champions sustainability within the creative industry. Every piece of equipment undergoes rigorous inspection by expert technicians and comes with a warranty, guaranteeing that opting for pre-owned items never compromises on performance or reliability. This approach significantly reduces waste and the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing new equipment, demonstrating that 'used' does not equate to 'used up'.
A key aspect of MPB's involvement with the PhotoVogue Festival is its dedicated support for the 'Women by Women' initiative. This program is designed to amplify the female perspective in visual arts and empower a diverse community of female image-makers globally. This partnership exemplifies a mutual dedication to cultivating a more inclusive, representative, and accessible landscape for visual storytelling, while simultaneously fostering the growth of emerging photographers and videographers who are set to redefine the industry's future.
The upcoming announcement at the festival is not just about a financial award; it's a celebration of talent, innovation, and sustainability within the photographic community. It highlights the growing recognition of how vital access to quality equipment is for artists, and how platforms like MPB are revolutionizing this access through environmentally conscious practices. This event reinforces the collective effort to support and elevate the next generation of visual storytellers, ensuring their artistic journeys are well-equipped and their voices are heard.