The CONTRAST project aims to contribute to the dissemination, creation and teaching of photography in its interaction with Art, Architecture and Design. This contribution is developed at national and international level through the sharing of experiences and knowledge between schools, groups and non-academic associations, bringing together the interest of different audiences in these themes from a transversal and holistic perspective.

The proposed activities are carried out on the basis of the work and synergies developed both through its online platform and through the CONTRAST publication, which currently brings together the work of eleven higher education schools teaching photography in various disciplinary and artistic areas: ARCO, DARQ, DCAM, EA.UC, ESAP, ESMAD, FAUP, FBAUL, FBAUP and IPT. To this end, it proposes interdisciplinary cultural dynamization focused on the creation of a network of artistic initiatives and critical reflection, encouraging debate on themes that cut across Art, Architecture and Design through the world of Creation, Editorial, and the Teaching of Photography in various disciplinary areas, reinforcing the artistic and editorial offer, access and participation in the arts, bringing together various institutions and groups from different communities.

The artistic initiatives include the creation of artistic works, the programming of pre-existing works and specific actions to develop audiences, involving partner institutions and local communities, providing active participation in the creation and enjoyment of the arts by various audiences, with the proposed initiatives serving as documentary and artistic territories for various projects.

The project has the consolidated experience of ten higher education schools teaching and researching the practice and discipline of photography in various disciplinary and artistic areas. This work has been developed through various projects, research and initiatives, as well as editorial experience that ensures a strong integrated and complementary teaching, research and communication strategy, namely through the organization of conferences, debates, exhibitions, projects, courses/workshops and scientific and pedagogical publications in both article and book format that expand photography to other disciplinary areas. For all these reasons, publishing is an essential element for the CONTRAST project and its network of multidisciplinary artistic initiatives in Art, Architecture, Design and Photography aims to strengthen and update the editorial component of this project.

In this context, the online platform is a significant support for interaction between the various institutions involved, as well as for publicizing the program and its contents, enhancing the relational dynamics between the various products that are proposed to be developed, exploiting the potential of video/audio and online book formats.