The Society for Photographic Education is a nonprofit membership organization that provides a forum for the discussion of photography and related media as a means of creative expression and cultural insight. Through its interdisciplinary programs, services and publications, the society seeks to promote a broader understanding of the medium in all its forms, and to foster the development of its practice, teaching, scholarship and criticism.
History of the Society for Photographic Education (SPE): Prior to the 1960s, photography was taught primarily in departments of journalism at American universities. SPE emerged at a time when art departments were beginning to offer photography in their curriculum. Nathan Lyons, then associate director at the George Eastman House, recognized the newly emerging academic field; he coordinated and hosted a conference in November 1962 in Rochester, NY to address the concerns of these educators. Beaumont Newhall, Walter Rosenblum, Arthur Sinsabaugh, Aaron Siskind, Henry Holmes Smith, John Szarkowski, Jerry Uelsmann and Clarence White were among the thirty attendees at the “Invitational Teaching Conference.” Representing the intersection of fine art practice, education and history, these early participants aimed to formulate the goals, future and improvement of photographic education. The first annual national conference was held in Chicago in 1963 and the articles of incorporation were signed in May 1964. Since its establishment, many noted artists, curators, and critics in the field of photography have been involved with SPE or its programs. Although the majority of its 1,900 members are fine art photographers and educators, curators, critics, historians and artists are also members. The national headquarters are located in Cleveland, OH, and the archives are at the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, AZ.
Every year an annual national conference continues the tradition of gathering some of the greatest artists, students, historians and thinkers of photography’s past, present and future. The annual event (49th to be in San Francisco in March 2012) attracts over 1200 photographic artists, educators, students, curators, historians and enthusiasts from around the world. Featured speakers include recognized artists and over 45 hours of peer-reviewed programming from artists, historians and curators, including panel discussions, imagemaker presentations, demos and workshops. SPE’s four-day event also hosts an Exhibits Fair with 60+ representatives from industry, publishing and academic institutions. Portfolio reviews are conducted throughout the event and programming is open to members and non-members of SPE alike. Contributions help support student scholarships, featured artists' costs, and special events.
There are many ways to be involved with the organization and the event. With its 50th anniversary approaching in 2013, the organization has renewed its strategic plan and will implement many new initiatives, including diversification of membership and expanded programming.