The Bob & Diane Fund recently announced their ninth visual storytelling grant to New York based photographer Jason Crowley. The annual award of USD 5,000 (EUR 4,860) was granted to Jason for his project, “A Tough Old Bird” about his grandmother’s life, living with Alzheimer’s (see picture). “Jason's study of his grandmother's sunset years is both unflinching and tender. I use the word 'study,' because the photographer is intentional in playing a part in the story -- this is a risky approach when documenting family but, as Jason shows, it can be done very well. The reward for the risk is an intimate journey to better understanding how age affects multiple generations at the same time. The photographs are beautiful and sing with one voice in their approach and visual language, which is a benefit when telling a tale over many years” commented Chip Somodevilla, Getty Staff Photographer.
2025 is the tenth anniversary of the Bob & Diane Fund, a grant-giving organisation that supports photographers working on stories related to Alzheimer’s and dementia. In the first nine years, the fund has received 613 submissions from a total of 58 countries. Photographers who have been awarded the grant have been from the Denmark, England, Iran, Sweden, US and Wales. Gina Martin, Founder and Executive Director created the Fund in memory of her mother, Diane, who passed away in 2011 and her father, Bob, who was Diane’s loyal caregiver. Her parents were high school sweethearts, and died three months apart, just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.
In creating the Bob & Diane Fund, Gina wanted to honour them both for their devotion and love for one another and for their family. While working at National Geographic for 21 years, Gina saw first-hand how visual images can change perception and policy. She believes that bringing a visual awareness to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia brings empathy and understanding, caring and giving, and hopefully, a cure. Gina’s parents were the most giving people she knew and taught her the gift of giving. This is her gift to them.
https://www.bobanddianefund.org/grantees
