Museum of Contemporary Photography

Museum of Contemporary Photography Admission is always free for visitors.
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The Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago (MoCP) cultivated a deeper understanding of the artistic, cultural, and politicL roles of the image in our world today. Founded in 1976 as the Chicago Center for Contemporary Photography, the museum collaborates with artists, photographers, communities, and institutions locally, nationally, and internationally. As the leading photo

graphy museum in the Midwest, presenting projects and exhibitions and acquiring works that embrace a wide range of contemporary aesthetics and technologies, the museum offers students, educators, research specialists, and general audiences an intimate and comprehensive visual study center. The Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) is a stimulating and innovative forum for the collection, creation, and examination of contemporary imagemaking in its camera tradition and in its expanded vocabulary of digital processes. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the museum considers all elements of our mission to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural and political implication of the image in our world today, within the context of public service and responsibility to the community and museum profession. The Museum is committed to broadening the visual arts by constantly searching for new national and international talent to exhibit rather than simply following suit established by larger institutions. To this end, the museum’s programming guides the public to a greater understanding of thought-provoking contemporary photography as well as an appreciation for traditional work that has not yet received critical acclaim.

04/18/2026

At MoCP, publications are often created to accompany exhibitions offering deeper context for artists, artworks, and curatorial themes. Listen to, and watch, our book-teasers featuring MoCP's history of publications, and visit shop.mocp.org to bring one home today.

Congratulations to this year’s Guggenheim Fellows! MoCP is proud to celebrate the many artists who are joining a growing...
04/18/2026

Congratulations to this year’s Guggenheim Fellows! MoCP is proud to celebrate the many artists who are joining a growing legacy of achievement in fine art and photography.

Congratulations to this year's Guggenheim Fellows! MoCP is proud to celebrate the many artists who are joining a growing...
04/17/2026

Congratulations to this year's Guggenheim Fellows! MoCP is proud to celebrate the many artists who are joining a growing legacy of achievement in fine art and photography.

MoCP is hiring the position of Manager of Operations and Preparator. This role oversees all operational, technical, and ...
04/16/2026

MoCP is hiring the position of Manager of Operations and Preparator.

This role oversees all operational, technical, and facilities-related functions of the museum, ensuring a safe, efficient, and mission-aligned ex*****on of exhibitions, public programs, events, and day-to-day museum operations.

Please click the link to read the full job description and apply today! https://bit.ly/4cgYsx6

04/15/2026

MoCP's current exhibition MoCP at Fifty: Collecting Through the Decades is on view through May 16. Throughout the duration of the show, we'll be sharing artworks selected by the museum's Henry Nias Business in Arts Fellow Orianna D'Landazuri.

Open Monday through Saturday with extended evening hours on Thursdays, visit the museum today, and engage with works from the permanent collection and hear from our student staff for a extra meaningful experience.

04/03/2026

From the desk of Executive Director Natasha Egan, congratulations to Chad Kearney for being our fine print raffle winner! Thank you for being a friend of MoCP.

Interested in getting involved, making a donation, or starting your own photography collection? Visit our shop page to view and purchase fine prints, or contact us at [email protected] for more information about ways to get involved, learn, or give support this year. https://shop.mocp.org/collections/fine-prints

03/20/2026

Thank you everyone who came to celebrate and support MoCP's 2026 Darkroom Benefit!

This record-breaking event was made possible by our community of artists, enthusiasts, and friends. We extend our gratitude to our larger than life benefit co-chairs and committee, all 49 of you, who helped make our anniversary celebration one for the books - and the next 50 years.

In honor of MoCP, we brought together 55 artworks and artist experiences for auction while recognizing Joel Sternfeld as the Silver Camera Award recipient who spoke during our program along with MoCP Advisory Board Chair Bob Wislow and Columbia College Chicago President Dr. Shantay N. Bolton.

Together through donations, sponsorships, ticket sales, auction purchases, and artist activations we raised nearly $445,000 and counting! To learn more about the event, contribute to our anniversary year, visit our website at mocp.org.

DJ:
360 Booth:
Photo Experience:



Song Credit: Enjoy Right Now, Today by Tyler, The Creator

The Diane Dammeyer Fellowship for Photographic Arts and Social Awareness is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027...
03/18/2026

The Diane Dammeyer Fellowship for Photographic Arts and Social Awareness is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Click here to learn more and apply today. https://bit.ly/4urd1VI

Through MoCP and Columbia College Chicago, this fellowship provides support and funding for one artist to create a powerful body of work addressing human rights and social issues while engaging with Chicago based community organizations and Columbia College Chicago students. Fellows will also present an exhibition and artist talk at the end of the academic year.

Previous fellows include Jonathan Castillo, Dylan Yarborough, Sasha Phyars-Burgess, Melissa Ann Pinney, Oscar B. Castillo and Wil Sands, and Alessandro Bo, and current fellow Lali Khalid, whose work is featured in this post.

Thank you to Diane Dammeyer for your generosity in establishing this fellowship and fostering relationships that support this meaningful work.

MoCP and Columbia College Chicago School of Visual Arts are excited to announce a Lecture in Photography with Carla Will...
03/16/2026

MoCP and Columbia College Chicago School of Visual Arts are excited to announce a Lecture in Photography with Carla Williams. Please join us on Wednesday, May 6, 6pm at Ferguson Lecture Hall located at 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL.
To learn more about the artist and this program, please visit our website.
https://bit.ly/48KscR8

Artist Matthew Finley is coming to MoCP! Join us on April 11 for an artist talk at 12pm, followed by a workshop at 1pm a...
03/06/2026

Artist Matthew Finley is coming to MoCP! Join us on April 11 for an artist talk at 12pm, followed by a workshop at 1pm at MoCP, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL. To learn more and register for this program, visit our website.
https://bit.ly/4pSar8K

*MoCP's programs are free and open to the public. If you have any questions, please send us a message at [email protected].

02/26/2026

Darkroom is tomorrow! Want to join the party? Visit mocp.org to buy tickets, view the auction, and register to bid today!

Address

600 S Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL
60605

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+13126635554

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