The
American Society of Media Photographers Foundation has become a founding sponsor of the
Young Photographers Alliance by donating $50,000 to fund the development and launch of two key mentoring and internship programs and two scholarships.
Launched a year ago by Jerry Tavin and Deborah Free, YPA receives support from companies that include Alamy and Blend Images. The nonprofit’s goal is to foster young talent by connecting emerging and established professionals through programs such as college scholarships, mentoring, internships and educational outreach on the business of photograph.
YPA awarded its first scholarships last October; the two ASMP-funded scholarships will be awarded this year. They will help economically disadvantaged students to realize their artistic dreams. The mentoring program and internships for which part of the ASMP donation will be used will launch this summer.
ASMP allocated the funds through The ASMP Foundation, whose mission is to support the educational outreach of the society. Foundation president Kate Baldwin said ASMP hopes that this sponsorship will contribute to the long-term viability of photography as a profession.