2026 SPE Annual Conference: Catalyst for Exchange
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print this pageReframing Collegiate Photography Education: Curriculum Innovation to Attract and Retain Students in Photography Programs
Robert Dickes: Melissa Nunez, Nick Shepard, Curt Steckel
Friday, March 20 - 9:00AM to 11:00AM
Georgia 6
In the face of declining enrollment across arts-based disciplines, photography programs must evolve to remain relevant, inclusive, and future-facing. This panel discussion brings together educators and industry professionals to explore actionable strategies for reshaping photography curricula to attract a broader, more diverse student body. Panelists will share insights on integrating interdisciplinary approaches, emerging technologies, and socially engaged practices to reflect the realities of contemporary image-making and career pathways.
Key areas of discussion may include expanding curriculum to include visual storytelling for digital platforms (such as social media, XR, and AI imaging), increasing representation and building stronger ties with community partners and creative industries, and emphasizing entrepreneurship and portfolio development. The panel will also address structural barriers that may prevent access to photography programs—such as cost, equipment needs, and lack of cultural relevance—and propose scalable, inclusive solutions.
By centering student agency and adapting to the evolving landscape of visual culture, photography education can reclaim its place as a dynamic, essential field. Attendees will leave with tangible curricular ideas, collaborative models, and new perspectives on how to reimagine photography programs not just to increase numbers, but to enrich the learning experience for a new generation of image-makers.
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