OUR ORIGIN STORY
Open Show was conceived by photojournalist and multimedia producer Tim Wagner in 2008. After seeing many high quality projects languishing unseen on portfolio sites and hearing friends wish for a hands-on learning forum, Tim worked with Adrianne Koteen, Melanie Light and André Hermann to create a monthly forum that evolved into Open Show – a name suggested by former American Photo editor and photo community guru Miki Johnson.
A GLOBAL NETWORK OF LOCAL EVENTS
In October 2010 Open Show expanded beyond our home base of San Francisco to Los Angeles under the direction of Mathieu Grandjean, who later became Open Show’s Europe Director. A month later Open Show launched in pre-revolution Cairo under Rachel Beth Anderson and Bangalore under Madhu Reddy, now Open Show’s India Director.
Our non-profit organization has evolved into a high-profile photography and film advocacy and event network with active communities around the world.
POWERED BY PASSIONATE TEAMS
Open Show communities are organized by locally-based volunteer event teams lead by co-producers passionate about Open Show’s mission. Each city runs their own events using our global curating platform and support resources. Get involved and help start one in your city.
VITAL STATS
10,000+ members
700+ presentations in 3 years
50+ co-producers worldwide
18 active cities in 12 countries
25 new cities starting in 2012
TIMELINE
Nov.2008 Open Show conceived by Tim Wagner
Feb.2009 First screening takes places at Fotovision in Berkeley
Jan.2010 Relaunched in new format with rotating venues in the Bay Area
Oct.2010 Second Open Show city launches in Los Angeles
Nov.2010 Partnership with World Photo Festival in San Francisco
Nov.2010 Cairo and Bangalore shows launch
Apr.2011 London show launches
Jun.2011 Special benefit show with Japan Society and first virtual presentation
Jul.2011 Open Show held at Rencontres d’Arles including 3 virtual presenters
Aug.2011 iPhone Stories show in partnership with Apple
Sept.2011 Detroit and Dubai shows launch
Oct.2011 Open Show Retrospective celebrates two years of projects while Paris and Rome (Fotografia Festival) launch
Nov.2011 Project Earth show with Sierra Club and Buenoes Aires launches
Dec.2011 Screening of Restrepo with San Francisco Film Society in memory of Tim Hetherington and Zagreb launches
