Mission & Vision
The Atlanta Center for Photography (ACP) advances new perspectives in lens-based media from the American South. Through artwork commissions, community collaborations, and dynamic programs, ACP supports photography as an inclusive and transformational cultural force, positioning Atlanta at the forefront of contemporary lens-based practice and thought.
Core Beliefs & Values
Artists Make Atlanta
ACP believes that artists are the lifeblood of a thriving, joyful community; we aim to weave photography into the everyday fabric of Atlanta by supporting artists in their critical work.
Representation is Respect
ACP values a broad spectrum of voices reflecting various worldviews, identities, and experiences to create a more open and just world; we foster an inclusive, environment where everyone feels represented, respected, and able to engage in an arts discourse.
Equity is Critical
ACP embraces the democratic ethos of photography in all our work, approaching our relationships with artists and the community with a spirit of equitable collaboration.
Community Centered and Celebrated
ACP reaffirms its originating vision as an organization rooted in Atlanta and invested in partnership, shared work, and collective abundance.
Learning is Durational
ACP encourages continuous learning and iteration; we will listen, reflect, and remain responsive as part of the ever-evolving cultural landscape of Atlanta.
History
Atlanta Celebrates Photography (ACP) was founded in 1998 as an artist-run organization seeking to amplify and elevate the medium of photography in Atlanta while supporting artists’ careers. Quickly, ACP became well-regarded for its lecture series and annual festival celebrating photography and its makers, which grew to become the largest community-based photography festival in the country.
On ACP’s 25th anniversary, the organization made the bold decision to rebrand as the Atlanta Center for Photography (ACP). As of July 1, 2024, ACP has expanded into a 4-story building at 546 Edgewood Avenue SE. This new home base solidifies ACP’s position as Atlanta’s first and only Center for Photography, with programs including commissioned exhibitions, a reading room and bookshelf residency, a teaching studio artist program, and emerging artist fellowship.
Embracing an impact-driven approach to programming, ACP seeks to establish Atlanta as a critical ecosystem for contemporary lens-based media by providing artists with solo exhibition opportunities, funding, and mentorship. Our programs invest directly in artists and their cultural production to mobilize, train, and retain artists and arts workers, catalyzing the high-functioning and sustainable arts ecosystem our city desires and deserves.
Staff
Executive Director
Lindsey O’Connor
lindsey@acpinfo.org
Program and Outreach Coordinator
Makeda Lewis
makeda@acpinfo.org
Digital Media Coordinator
José Ibarra Rizo
jose@acpinfo.org
Board
Alex Delotch Davis
President
Mshon Pullium
Vice President
Eli Kirshtein
Treasurer
Jamie Gordon
Secretary
Susan Anderson
Luke Beard
Jennifer Cotton
Mark Goldman
Roopa Gopal
Mark Johnson
Cameron Kirkland
Ethan Martin
Diwang Valdez
Advisory Council
Corinne Adams
Bill Boling
Coco Conroy
George Chen
Cheryl D’Amato
Arnika Dawkins
Nathan Dean
Elizabeth Edge
Erin Fender
Beth Gibbs
Amanda Greene
Maria Kelley
Rachel LaCour Niesen
Judy Lampert
Le’Andra LeSeur
Bertram Levy
Joe Massey
Phyllis Rodbell
Anna Skillman
Murphy Townsend
Vision Council
Corinne Adams, Founding Member
Susan Anderson
Anonymous
Lily Dehdashti and Lupin Foundation
Jerry Drisaldi
Exposure.co
Caroline Howell and Howell Family Foundation, Founding Member
Imlay Foundation
Judy Lampert
Mary Stanley Studio, Founding Member
Joe Massey and Massey Charitable Trust, Founding Member
Amish Patel
Belinda Reusch and LUBO Fund, Founding Member
Sponsors
Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council.
Our program is also supported by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency – the National Endowment for the Arts.
Additional support is provided by Exposure.co, Howell Family Foundation, Imlay Foundation, Mary Stanley Studio, Massey Family Charitable Trust, LUBO Fund, Lupin Foundation, and from the members of our Vision Council.
Project support is provided by Aperturent, Danger Press, Historic District Development Corporation, Digital Arts Studio, Leica, and Lightpoint.