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.

Upcoming Admissions Events

Saturday, October 21

Graduate Portfolio Day provides the opportunity for prospective students to meet one-on-one with faculty, receive immediate feedback on their portfolios, and learn more about the curricula, faculty, and application procedures from a number of colleges. RSVP.

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.
A student checks out a medium format camera

#3 Best Photography Program

U.S. News & World Report
Best Fine Arts Grad School Rankings

A student at a lecture speaks into a microphone

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.

Contact Us

Photography Department

280 Building
280 S. Columbus Dr., suite 115

Phone: 312.857.7660

Department Chair

Alan Labb alabb@saic.edu

Graduate Coordinator

Robert Clarke-Davis rclarkedavis@saic.edu

Senior Administrative Director

Katie Short

Administrative Director

Jessica DuPreez

Administrative Assistant

Maria Dunaevsky

Assistant Director of Photography Facilities

Mayumi Lake