MOMENTUM
MWSPE Regional Conference
The Ohio State University - Columbus, Ohio |
October 15 - October 17, 2026
The Midwest Chapter of the Society for Photographic Education invites artists, educators, students, and scholars to its 2026 Regional Conference, Momentum, in Columbus, Ohio October 15-17th.
Momentum is not only about speed or progress. It is what carries us forward, what stays with us as we move, and what resists or redirects our motion. It builds through repetition, collaboration, and sustained attention. Momentum can mean moving forward while looking back, building from history while questioning it. It emerges from pressure, collective effort, and the slow accumulation of work over time. Momentum is not only shaped by what precedes it, but also by what it makes possible ahead, how present actions shape what comes next.
Photography is shaped by movement and change, but also by persistence. Images circulate rapidly, technologies evolve, and ideas build upon one another. At the same time, histories, institutions, and habits continue to shape how and why we make work. Momentum exists in this tension—between acceleration and pause, between being pulled forward and pushing against.
This conference offers an opportunity to consider how momentum appears in your practice, teaching, and community. Where does energy build in your work? Where does it slow, shift, or redirect? What are you responding to, and what are you trying to carry forward?
Please join us in Columbus to share work, exchange ideas, and consider how we build, sustain, and challenge momentum in photography today!
Be sure to book your room at The Blackwell Inn, OSU's only on-campus hotel, by September 15th.
Reserve your room here!
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Visual Currents
2026 SPESC Photography Conference
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Little Rock, Arkansas |
October 23 - October 24, 2026
We're thrilled to announce that the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host the 2026 SPE South Central Chapter Conference! Join us for two days of talks, exhibitions, and community events celebrating photography and education in the region.
This year's conference will feature acclaimed photographer Todd Hido as keynote speaker, along with an exhibition of his work and that of Angela Strassheim, plus juried members and student exhibitions at UA Little Rock.
Upcoming Deadlines
September 20: Early Bird Registration Ends
September 20: Student Award Applications Close
Calls & Opportunities
Student Award Application
Portfolio Reviewer Sign-Up
Portfolio Review Sign-Up
Conference Raffle Donation Form
Student Volunteer Sign-Up
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2026 SPE West Chapter Conference
Sacramento
Sacramento State University - Sacramento, CA |
November 05 - November 08, 2026
Shared (Un)realities: Photography, Truth, and Meaning in 2026
In 2026, photography exists within a fractured public sphere. Artificial intelligence generates images at scale. Politicians and public figures circulate demonstrably false visual and verbal narratives. Social media platforms algorithmically shape perception, while audiences increasingly inhabit parallel information ecosystems with few shared reference points.
The 2026 SPE West Fall Conference invites artists, educators, scholars, students, and technologists to examine photography's evolving relationship to truth, meaning, and quality.
How do photographs construct meaning today? What does photographic "truth" mean when images are endlessly shared, manipulated, and generated? And what constitutes quality, formally, ethically, and politically, when belief itself appears increasingly polarized?
Through artist talks, panels, workshops, technical demonstrations, and community gatherings, Shared (Un)realities brings together critical discourse and hands-on engagement with contemporary photographic practice.
Keynote Speaker: Louie Palu
We are incredibly excited to welcome Louie Palu as the keynote speaker for SPE West 2026.
Louie will be traveling from Washington, D.C. to join us in Sacramento, and we're especially thrilled that he plans to spend the full conference with our community, not simply come in for his keynote. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from him on Saturday and to connect with him throughout the conference weekend.
His presence is one of the things we are most looking forward to as we bring photographers, educators, artists, and students together for four days of conversation and exchange.
Conference Schedule at a Glance
Thursday, November 5Opening evening meet-and-greet
Friday, November 6Interactive workshops, demonstrations, and Tech Day programming
Saturday, November 7Artist talks, presentations, panels, and keynote with Louie Palu
Sunday, November 8Student portfolio reviews in the morning
Full conference schedule and individual session times will be announced soon.
Conference Registration
Early-bird registration is available through September 30.
SPE Member: $240 early-bird / $300 regular
Contingent Faculty / Part-Time: $160 early-bird / $200 regular
Student: $40 early-bird / $50 regular
Non-Member Regular: $425
Non-Member Student: $105
Day Pass: $150
Food, Community & Connection
Community is an important part of the SPE West conference experience. Approximately $80–$100 of each registration fee supports the food provided during the conference, allowing attendees to stay together between sessions, continue conversations, network, and build connections throughout the weekend.
Conference Hotels
A limited number of rooms are available at conference rates at two adjacent hotels near Sacramento State. Attendees are encouraged to reserve early.
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Sacramento at CSUS$150/night + taxParking: $11.50/day1875 65th Street, Sacramento, CA 95819Complimentary breakfast included
To book your stay at HAMPTON INN
Home2 Suites by Hilton Sacramento at CSUS
$155/night + taxParking: $11.50/day1865 65th Street, Sacramento, CA 95819Complimentary breakfast includedSuite-style rooms with kitchenettes and additional spacewww.home2suites.com/sacramentoatcsus
To book your stay at HOME 2 SUITES
Conference Location
Sacramento State University6000 J StreetSacramento, CA 95819
We can't wait to welcome you to Sacramento for four days of photography, conversation, learning, and community.
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