Fotografiska New York celebrates brilliant photography. The innovative museum is part of a global organization.
In January 2022, the creative minds behind Fotografiska New York launched the Fotografiska Academy. The prestigious photography education program was initially introduced in Sweden at the Fotografiska Stockholm and is designed for every skill level. The courses examine and critique modern photography ideals.
If you’re intrigued by the Fotografiska Academy, here are five things to know.
1. Stephen Frailey designed the curriculum
The academy’s curriculum was designed by program head Stephen Frailey, former chair emeritus of New York’s School of Visual Arts. Frailey is a renowned artist, educator, and photographer with decades of experience.
“One of the things that most interests me about photography is how broad it is,” Frailey said in an interview describing his teaching style. “In the classroom, I would rather try to come up with less predictable references for the students beyond the list of canonical texts or authors.”
2. Everyone is welcome
Breaking into the art world is often intimidating. The Fotografiska Academy, however, is designed to be inclusive. Expert photographers who want to discuss critical theory are as welcome as hobbyists who just purchased their first camera. Every course is open to any student who wants to attend. There are only restrictions on class size.
3. The courses are diverse
The academy offers a diverse range of courses taught by a variety of high-profile and emerging artists. There’s a multi-night fashion photography course featuring professional hair and makeup artists. If you’re interested in learning how art galleries operate, the business of photography class led by Foley Gallery founder Michael Foley will be interesting. The courses are a mixture of workshops, lectures, and seminars.
4. The building is historic
Fotografiska New York’s building has more than visual appeal -- it has a rich history. Built in 1894, the former church mission house is a registered historical landmark. When the building was transformed into a museum, a leading architecture firm upgraded its 45,000 square feet and six stories. Some of the original features, like the cast-iron steel structure, are still highlighted.
5. The museum exhibits rotate
Most academy students visit the Fotografiska New York museum. You can do this more than once because the exhibits frequently rotate. “Fotografiska is a museum-style venue, and work will not be for sale. We do temporary exhibitions and work with artists from all over the world,” co-founder Jan Broman explained when the museum opened in 2019.
