A Sanctuary for the Seen

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Imagine a museum not just for art, but for a mission. In 1974, Cornell Capa founded the International Center of Photography to champion concerned photography. He wanted images that weren't just pretty, but socially and politically engaged—visuals intended to educate and actually change the world.

Since those early days, the ICP has presented over 700 exhibitions and taught thousands of classes. While it started in the historic Willard Straight House on Fifth Avenue, it eventually found a home on the Lower East Side. Today, its museum and school share a unified center at 84 Ludlow Street.

It remains an open forum for dialogue, welcoming anyone who wants to explore the powerful role images play in our global culture.

Updated June 2026