CatchLight

CatchLights Local Program works to build a local news ecosystem that is thriving in communities across the US, where everyone sees themselves represented in their local media, and where social cohesion and trust in our fellow community members is rebuilt. Our approach to this work is three-pronged: We advance trust and representation in local journalism by placing high-quality, community-driven photojournalists in local newsrooms throughout the US; We partner with newsrooms through a collaborative Visual Desk, offering customized visual services, tools, mentorship, and support to strengthen newsrooms capacity to serve as trusted messengers in their communities; We convene the public like-minded people across media, academia, technology, and the arts to foster a robust and inclusive community to deepen critical thought, imagine new ways to leverage visuals for connection, and inspire action. In 2023, CatchLight created nine full-time visual staff positions and supported nine newsrooms with Visual Desk services throughout California. They deepen their reach in California by adding two more ethnic media newsroom partners (El Timpano and El Tecolote) and test expansion into a new geography with Senior Local Fellow, Andrea Bruce, and her Down in the Country news bulletin about Pimlico County, North Carolina. In addition, CatchLight convened over 6,000 community members through programs such as portfolio reviews, workshops, trainings, and networking events.

The CatchLight Global Fellowship, awards visual storytellers who use visual art to spark new conversations, engage communities, and whose work is poised to be significantly amplified by collaboration, mentorship, and networking, as well as a $30,000 grant. In addition to the award, the Fellowship also provides personal development opportunities and impact strategy and networking support from CatchLight staff and our network of partners. In 2023, we continued our support for the 2022 Fellows: Daro Sulakauri, Rafael Vilela, Adama Delphine Fawandu. These innovators are leading the field through their projects and entrepreneurship; building platforms to lift up underrepresented voices, interrogating and expanding historical narratives, and leveraging multi-platform approaches to their craft to reach audiences in meaningful ways.

CatchLights Visual Storytelling Summit is the annual convening that connects all of CatchLights programs and audiences. It creates spaces to learn from peers and industry leaders, and opportunities to explore the world through visual works of passion and curiosity. Through conversation, community, and connection between artists, founders, and innovators they are building a unique audience spanning visual storytelling, media, tech, and arts. In 2023, they saw record-breaking attendance with 343 registrants and 225 attendees, far surpassing in-person attendance at the Summit from 2022.

Catchlight works at the intersection of photography and social awareness and impact. Catchlight identifies high-quality and innovative visual storytellers around the world and brings resources and community together to direct their work towards critical social issues. Activist awards awareness-we promote the work of social documentary photographers who have participated in our activist awards in the past. Fellowship program -in 2016 Catchlight will launch a prestigious fellowship program recognizing 3 fellows for excellence in visual storytelling and innovation in both distribution and measurable social impact. We intend to build a community of funders, advocates, art lovers, social activists, media and technology leaders who understand the power of innovative art to touch people in a way that illuminates and engages. Social media program -inspired by everyday africa, and in partnership with everyday projects and kqed public media, Catchlight launches everyday bay with a focus on the s

Refund of expenses