Griffin Museum of Photography

Focus Awards Description

A woman looking through a lens. It is the Focus Logo

The Focus Awards recognize individuals making critical contributions to the promotion, curation and presentation of photography. The award is not meant for photographers for their art making, but for individuals such as photography educators, historians, gallerists, writers, curators, inventors, conservators and administrators who have elevated the medium of photography.

Focus awardees can be a combination of local, national and international photography trendsetters and innovators. The Focus Awards recognize the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of a select group of enthusiastic, forward thinking individuals and organizations dedicated to the art and business of photography.

In our fourteenth year, this year’s award celebrates individuals instrumental in building greater awareness of the photographic arts in the general public. We will present The Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert Klein and  the Rising Star Award to Arnika Dawkins.

The Focus Awards will take place on November 13, 2020 at 7 PM as part of our auction weekend that includes an award distribution multievent and a reception. The lectures and awards’ event are virtual on the Zoom Platform and on the auction takes place on the Invaluable auction site.

As mentioned, this year Robert Klein, owner and director of the Robert Klein Gallery in Boston, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Stan Trecker, Dean Emeritus at Lesley University, will present the award to Robert Klein.

We will also present the Rising Star Award to Arnika Dawkins, owner and director of the Arnika Dawkins Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Debora Willis, curator, photographer, author and educator will present the award to Arnika Dawkins.

After both of the award recipients accept their Focus Awards, Robert Klein will talk a little about the evolution of the photo market.  He will give an overview of where the photo market was in 1978 when he first became involved up to the present day impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. After, we will open up opportunity for the audience to ask questions and have dialogue.

2020 Focus Awards Press Release

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The Focus Awards have been presented in the following categories:

  • The Lifetime Achievement Award Given to an individual whose ongoing commitment to photography has created far reaching impact.
  • The Rising Star Award Given to an emerging force that the photographic community is watching with great enthusiasm.
  • The New England Beacon Award Given to a local individual whose work brings prominence to the local photographic scene.
  • The Spotlight Award Given to an entity that consistently shines a light on photography and has created a far reaching impact in the field.
  • The Scribe Award Given for excellence in writing on the subject of photographic arts.
  • The Quicksilver Award Given to an individual who has made significant advances in using and exploring new technologies, as well as innovative approaches to photography utilizing nontraditional ways to showcase photography as an ever changing media.
  • The Commonwealth Award Given to an entity whose work brings prominence to the local photographic scene.
  • A Culture of Legacy Award Given to an individual (or entity) who demonstrates a life course philosophy with respect to  photographic endeavor. A culture of legacy takes place when history informs the present and works towards a better future with conscience.
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