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Tuesday 10am - 4:30am Wednesday 10am - 4:30am Thursday 10am - 4:30am Friday 10am - 4:30pm Saturday 10am - 4:30pm

Center for Creative Photography

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Tucson, AZ
Center for Creative Photography

A research institution devoted to preserving the history of photography, offering free exhibitions.

The Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, is recognized as one of the world's finest academic art museums and study centers for the history of photography. The Center opened in 1975, following a meeting between the University President John Schaefer and Ansel Adams. Beginning with the archives of five living master photographers—Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, Harry Callahan, Aaron Si

skind, and Frederick Sommer—the collection has grown to include 239 archival collections, and more than 90,000 works by over 2,200 photographers.

06/23/2026

The CCP building and galleries will be closed from July 3 through August 7 for exhibition installation.

El edificio y las galerías del CCP permanecerán cerrados del 3 de julio al 7 de agosto para la instalación de la exposición.

06/10/2026

Today CCP highlights Summer Williams, who has been volunteering with the Center since 2025.

“Hello, my name is Summer Williams. I moved to Tucson from Oklahoma in 2025, where I worked in sales and early child development. When not at work, photography was what I loved doing most!

“Before moving to Tucson I was able to tour the city which is when I visited the CCP for the first time. As a long time lover of the arts, especially photography, I am very grateful that I get to be surrounded by such beautiful works of art while volunteering my free time with Lynn Richards and Aimee Baker, assisting them with exhibition preparations. It has been a pleasure getting to see the CCP from behind the scenes and seeing all of the detailed work that goes into the exhibitions for the public to enjoy.”

Thank you for all that you do, Summer!

06/02/2026

Now Open: CCP’s Summer Chill Zone!

The Chill Zone is a relaxed, self-guided space for visitors to slow down and explore at their own pace. Discover new projects each week, browse art books, and create artwork of your own in a cool, creative environment. Drop-in workshops and hands-on activities will be offered throughout the month, making the Chill Zone a perfect summer stop for curiosity, creativity, and connection.

The Chill Zone is open from June 1 to July 2, Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Please note: the CCP will be closed on June 19 in accordance with the University’s observance of Juneteenth.)

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Also, join us this week for the first Chill Zone activity:
“Portraits & Stories: Story Time Inspired by Dorothea Lange”
Thursday, June 4, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

CCP’s Head of Collections, Kappy Mintie, will read aloud “Dorothea’s Eyes.” Inspired by the life and work of photographer Dorothea Lange, this beautifully illustrated book introduces young audiences to the power of observation, storytelling, and photography. Following the reading, visitors of all ages are invited to participate in portrait-inspired art activities exploring the many ways we see ourselves and others. This family-friendly program encourages close looking and hands-on making in a welcoming gallery environment.

See the full list of Chill Zone activities on the final slide. All activities are free and open to the public.

05/14/2026

CCP will close at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, for Commencement and re-open with regular hours Saturday, May 16.

El CCP cerrará a las 2:00 p. m. el viernes 15 de mayo con motivo de la ceremonia de graduación y volverá a abrir en su horario habitual el sábado 16 de mayo.

05/12/2026

In 1991, photographer Rollie McKenna published her autobiographical book, “A Life in Photography,” which combined her writing with selections from her lifelong career in photography. Some three decades later, curators Jessica D. Brier and Mary-Kay Lombino of the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College published the first career survey of McKenna’s photography, including essays by Luísa Valle, T. Barton Thurber, and the CCP’s Rebecca Senf.

McKenna’s 1991 publication is out of print, but you can peruse an original copy in the CCP’s galleries during the final days of “Making a Life in Photography: Rollie McKenna,” closing this Saturday, May 16. Copies of Brier and Lombino’s newer publication are available for purchase at the Welcome Desk.

04/30/2026

It’s the final weeks to see “Making a Life in Photography: Rollie McKenna” at the Center for Creative Photography!

McKenna’s photography spanned a range of genres and included portraits of well-known writers and artists. This past February, CCP members were invited to a special print viewing that explored how the subjects in McKenna’s portraits could be found photographs by other artists in the Center’s collection.

These three images of artist Georgia O’Keeffe were made by Rollie McKenna, Ansel Adams, and Alfried Stieglitz respectively — all of them shown at the members’ event.

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Come see “Making a Life in Photography: Rollie McKenna” before it closes on May 16 to encounter more of McKenna’s portraits.

To be invited to future members’ events like the portraiture print viewing, join CCP’s membership program at the link in bio.

04/20/2026

Today in ARTnews:

The Center for Creative Photography is thrilled to announce the acquisition of nine significant photography archives, marking one of the most substantial expansions of its holdings in recent years. The donated archives represent an extraordinary cross-section of 20th- and 21st-century photographic practices.

The newly acquired archives comprise:
-Laura Aguilar ()
-Jack Dykinga
-Jody Forster
-Frank Gohlke
-Mark Klett
-Nathan Lyons
-Stephen Marc
-Patrick Nagatani
-Susan Wood

These nine photographers will join CCP’s holdings, which include the archives of Ansel Adams, W. Eugene Smith, David Hume Kennerly, Lola Álvarez Bravo, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Robert Heinecken, and many others.

Read the full story and see images from each of the archives at artnews.com/list/art-news/news/center-for-creative-photography-archives-1234781880/

Link in bio coming soon.

04/09/2026

The Center for Creative Photography (CCP) at the University of Arizona is honored to announce the nine recipients of its several fellowships for the 2026–27 cycle. This year’s cohort of fellows demonstrates a range of creative interdisciplinary research projects that advance our understanding of and experience with the histories and practices of photography. The 2026–27 CCP Fellows are:

Ansel Adams Research Fellowship
Kaitlin Booher, William and Sarah Ross Soter Associate Curator of Photography, Columbus Museum of Art
Adam Monohon, PhD Candidate in Art History, University of California, Los Angeles

Kenneth J. Botto Research Fellowship
Lewis Young, PhD Candidate in Art History, University of Nottingham

Josef Breitenbach Research Fellowship
Ekalan Hou, PhD Candidate in History of Art and American Studies, Yale University

Michael Hawley Artist Research Fellowship
Aspen Mays, Chair of Photography, Print media, Painting, and Drawing, California College of the Arts

Harold Jones and Frances Murray Research Fellowship
Gary McLeod, Assistant Professor, Institute of Art and Design, University of Tsukuba

Photographic Arts Council–Los Angeles (PAC-LA) Research Fellowship
Saretta Morgan, Poet

Todd Walker Research Fellowship
James Honiball, Artist
Levi Sherman, PhD Candidate in Art History, University of Wisconsin-Madison

04/08/2026

On Friday, April 17, from 12-1 p.m. join us at the Center for Creative Photography for a small group presentation by CCP fellow Alice Cazenave. Cazenave will present her Ph.D work, as well as introduce the Ansel Adams research that she is conducting at the Center.

Alice Cazenave, Ph.D, is a photographic artist, research advisor to the Sustainable Darkroom, and lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London.

This event is free and open to the public. However, please note that due to the print viewing room size, attendance is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are certain you are able to attend, RSVP via the link in bio.

04/07/2026

Today, CCP highlights Darlene Peralta, a University of Arizona student currently completing an internship in the center’s Arthur J. Bell Conservation Lab.

“Hi, I’m Darlene! I’m a junior studying history with a minor in chemistry and I’m currently interning in conservation. I’m planning to pursue a master’s in textile conservation and eventually work in a textile conservation lab. I’ve always loved collecting and restoring vintage clothing, and what I love about conservation is that it’s a way to keep history and cultural heritage alive through the objects people leave behind. I’m really happy to be working in a photo conservation lab where I can keep learning more about preservation.”

Address

1030 N Olive Road
Tucson, AZ
85719

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4:30am
Wednesday	10am - 4:30am
Thursday	10am - 4:30am
Friday	10am - 4:30pm
Saturday	10am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15206217968

Website

http://ccp.arizona.edu/

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