The Center for Creative Photography is one of the world’s largest repositories of materials chronicling photography. Founded in 1975, it now houses 3.8 million archival items and 80,000 fine prints by photographers. It is an archive and research center located on the University of Arizona campus and was established in May 1975 with these founding archives—Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind, and Frederick Sommer.
Select Major Collections
I visited the Center for Creative Photography once back in the early 1980’s. Back then it was in an ordinary white building on the campus. Looking at their website today it looks like they are in a new larger more impressive two story building.
This is photography holy ground both for the past and the future. It is important for the past because it houses much of the complete works of many photographers from the USA and that allows us to look at carefully and study what has come from past greats. It is important for the future because without studying the past we go forward in an unforgiving future that is always moving forever faster forward. The past feeds the future; it has and always will.
It is worth a trip to see this fine place of important photography work. Be sure to check out their website for their open hours and understand it is not an exhibiting museum therefore you will need to make an appointment to view work in advance.
I will close with their words and description:
Mission
The Center for Creative Photography actively collects, preserves, interprets, manages and makes available materials that are essential to understanding photography and its history. Through its archives, collections, education programs, exhibitions, and publications, the Center promotes research into and appreciation of the photographic medium while safeguarding original objects for posterity.
Vision
The Center for Creative Photography is a unique site for exploration into and debate about photography and its role in modern society. We advocate freedom of expression and responsible stewardship of our photographic heritage, encourage open-minded inquiry and collaboration, and lead by example in the creation of new knowledge about lens-based culture.
Values
The Center for Creative Photography embraces the ideal that both knowledge and art are intrinsically valuable to society and people’s lives, and that photography as a medium offers special insights into the nature of reality, the human condition, and our place in history. In the service of this ideal, we are dedicated to intellectual freedom, professional integrity, respect for a diversity of viewpoints, and learning as a life-long project.
Center for Creative Photography
The University of Arizona
1030 North Olive Road
P.O. Box 210103
Tucson, AZ 85721-0103
Phone: 520-621-7968
Fax: 520-621-9444
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