Photography
Photography Department
The Department of Photography at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers a multifaceted approach to the medium, including traditional forms of image making and conceptually oriented practices, making the SAIC Photography program uniquely diverse.
Final Undergraduate Application Deadline: May 15
Submit your application and portfolio by May 15 to be considered for admission and merit scholarship.
Transfer Deadline: June 1
Learn more about transferring to SAIC for fall 2025 and apply now!
File Your FAFSA
In order to be eligible for need-based aid such as SAIC, state and federal grants, loans and work study you need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov.
An image from the 2017 Photography Graduate Critique.
Student Work
Students in the Photography department will:
- Explore the practice and theory of photography.
- Learn from distinguished, practicing artists with a variety of approaches to the medium.
- Practice your art in a supportive, nonhierarchical community among faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students.
- Work with state-of-the-art equipment available for checkout from our media centers, and enjoy access to all the resources of the school.
- Collaborate with graduate students and peers to create an annual departmental catalog.
#3 Best Photography Program
U.S. News & World Report
Best Fine Arts Grad School Rankings
Parlor Room
Parlor Room is a visiting artist program and lecture series created, run, budgeted and curated by graduate students of photography. Parlor Room provokes dialogue and connections with artists, curators, thinkers and critics engaged with photography. Through public presentations, one-on-one studio visits, and informal group events with graduate students and faculty, Parlor Room seeks a diversity of thought and practice.
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Department Chair
Aimee Beaubien abeaubien@saic.edu
Graduate Coordinator
Robert Clarke-Davis rclarkedavis@saic.edu
Senior Administrative Director
Nika Gorini
Administrative Director
Jessica DuPreez
Administrative Assistant
Maria Dunaevsky
Assistant Director of Photography Facilities
Mayumi Lake