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Submission Guidelines

In India, and especially in Bihar, archives are often imagined as quiet, dusty spaces filled with official records. They feel distant, formal, and meant only for experts. We believe that an archive can be alive. It can hold not just documents, but memories, stories, feelings and moments. It can be made by people, for people. We are building an open and inclusive digital archive of images and audio-visual works celebrating everyday life - of people you love, places you return to, objects and rituals you grew up with, and journeys and moments you don’t want to forget.

We invite queries about your proposed submission, why hosting it matters (and how it connects to Bihar), format, contributor details (name, location), and a short bio (3–4 lines).

Terms of Contribution

What You Can Submit

  • We invite images and audio-visual works that explore the memories, histories, and legacies of people, places and communities connected to Bihar.

  • Submissions may originate from anywhere in the world, as long as they meaningfully engage with Bihar and place personal or regional stories within broader social, cultural or global contexts.

  • Multiple images are welcome, provided they form a cohesive visual narrative.

Technical Requirements

  • Images and audio-visual works must be from before the year 2000.

  • Minimum 300 dpi, maximum 3 MB

  • Accepted formats: JPG/PNG/MP4

  • Accompanying text must be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format

  • Font and line spacing: Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced

Captions & Languages

  • Captions or short contextual texts are encouraged.

  • Editorial support for developing captions or narratives is available.

  • We strongly encourage submissions in non-English languages.

  • Captions in Hindi, Bhojpuri, Maithili, and other regional languages are welcome.

Rights, Credit & Use

  • Contributors must be the rightful guardian or owner of the submitted images.

  • Copyright will be shared between the contributor and the Bihar Visual Archive & Lab.

  • Credit line: Contributor Name / Bihar Visual Archive & Lab.

  • Images may be used for research, education, publications, exhibitions, and public outreach across print and digital platforms.

  • Contributors may reuse, reproduce, and share their submitted images and audio-visual works on personal websites, portfolios, blogs, or social media platforms and in print media. In all cases, the Bihar Visual Archive & Lab must be credited as the hosting archive, and a link to the archived material should be included wherever possible.

  • No monetary compensation will be provided, nor will the content be used for any commercial purpose.

Email us your queries and contributions at submissions@biharvisualarchive.in with the subject line: BVA Lab - AV Archive Submission (2026).

Bihar Visual Archive & Lab is an initiative of Ajoriya Foundation, a non-profit organisation that works at the intersection of heritage, art, education, archives, and community enterprise through research, documentation, capacity building and creative initiatives.

Address

Ajoriya Foundation, Saroj Smriti Bhavan, Village - Parwaha, Forbesganj, District - Araria, Bihar (India) - 854318

Contact

info@biharvisualarchive.in

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