Peter E. Palmquist Memorial Fund for Historical Photographic Research

Application Guidelines for the Peter E. Palmquist Memorial Fund for Historical Photographic Research

Considered one of the most important photo historians of the 20th century, Peter E. Palmquist (1936 - 2003) had a keen interest in the photography of the American West, California, and Humboldt County before 1950, and the history of women in photography worldwide. He published over 60 books and 340 articles and was a strong proponent of the concept of the independent researcher-writer in the field of photohistory. With co-author Thomas Kailbourn, he won the Caroline Bancroft Western History Prize for their book, Pioneer Photographers of the Far West.

Professor Martha Sandweiss, Princeton University, wrote, “He (Peter) established new ways of pursuing the history of photography, and with his collections and research notes soon to be accessible at Yale, he will be speaking to and inspiring new generations of students and researchers forever.” 

Established by Peter’s lifetime companion, Pam Mendelsohn, this fund supports the study of under-researched women photographers internationally, past and present, and under-researched Western American photographers through the Great Depression. 

A small panel of outside consultants with professional expertise in the field of photohistory and/or grant reviewing will review the applications in order to determine the awards. Applications will be judged on the quality of the proposal, the ability of the applicant to carry out the project within the proposed budget and timeline, and the significance of the project to the field of photographic history.

Past recipients and their projects are featured at palmquistgrants.com.

Range of Awards: $500 - $2,000

Funds must be used for research; grant funding may not be used to cover salaries, pay for hardware or equipment, or for production costs such as printing and book binding, podcasts, blogs, etc. 

October 31, 2023 is the deadline for submissions. Grant Recipients will be announced in mid-January 2024.

If selected, Recipients will be required to submit a copy of their work to HAF+WRCF.

Eligibility:
Individuals and nonprofit institutions conducting research in either of the fields below are eligible to apply: 

  • Under-researched women photographers internationally, past and present.
  • Under-researched Western American photographers through the Great Depression.

To submit an application please go to Humboldt Area Foundation link.