NESCol teams up with Aberdeen Arts Centre for photography competition
January 8, 2026
NESCol’s photography department has partnered with Aberdeen Arts Centre for a second year to offer amateur photographers the chance to showcase their talents in an annual competition.
Building on last year’s success, which saw more than 150 entries, the competition has expanded to include a dedicated category for NESCol students.
The theme for this year’s competition was inspired by the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign – a three-year fundraising drive to raise £660,000 and secure the venue’s future.
Titled ‘Entering the Spotlight’, the theme focuses on the local community in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and reflects the campaign slogan, ‘Keep the spotlight shining on your creative community’.
The top three entries in each category – adults, young people and NESCol students – will be exhibited in Aberdeen Arts Centre. First-place winners also receive family tickets to the centre’s 2026 pantomime, The Snow Queen.
NESCol photography lecturer Steve Smith is set to judge the competition for its second year.
He said: “Last year we were blown away by the quality of entries that came in from amateur photographers around the world, who had all captured the essence of Aberdeen in their photos.
“This year, I am excited to see what we’ll get when entrants turn their lenses on communities across the North East.
“The theme is intentionally broad, to allow photographers to express their creativity and tell a story with their work. We’re looking for new perspectives that highlight what it really means to be a part of a community.”
Sharon Catchpole, interim executive director at Aberdeen Arts Centre, said: “The last few months have shown us the power of community, as thousands have rallied around the Arts Centre to help us keep our doors open.
“It seems only fitting, then, to put the community in the spotlight with this year’s photography competition. There are so many people out there who give everything to the people and places where they live, and we want to celebrate them.
“We’re delighted to expand the reach of the competition this year with a new category for NESCol students, too, strengthening our partnership with the College and providing new opportunities for emerging artists to get their work seen by a larger audience.”
How to enter
To enter the competition, amateur photographers should submit their entries via the Aberdeen Arts Centre website: www.aberdeenartscentre.com/enteringthespotlight
Entries are welcome from around the world on the theme of ‘Entering the Spotlight’.
Images could play with literal or metaphorical ‘spotlights’ to represent community in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire: celebrations of people or groups deserving recognition, warm moments of appreciation, or creative use of light to highlight community.
- Entries must be submitted by 11.59pm on Sunday 1 February 2026.
- Entries are open in three categories: adults (18+), young people (under 18) and NESCol students.
- For all categories, images must be taken in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire, Scotland between 1 February 2025 and 1 February 2026.
Full terms and conditions can be found on the website.
2025 Winners
Last year’s theme was ‘Light in the Dark’, encouraging photographers to find moments of joy and light in the Granite City during the darker winter months.
Adults category 1st place: Newburgh Beach by Scott Carr
Young People category 1st place: Through the Broken Gate by Julia Gunn
