Since its opening in September, the Study Center for Photography and Works on Paper has welcomed high school and college level students, educators, curators, artists, historians, LACMA council members, and members of the general public to enjoy unprecedented access to the photographs, prints, and drawings in the museum’s permanent collection. In total, over 75 viewings have been held in the Study Center, and over 1,000 objects have been displayed and studied.

The Study Center has a busy summer ahead. 

This week, the Study Center is hosting the Andrew W. Mellon Summer Academy, a component of the Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship program. During the week-long behind-the-scenes introduction to the curatorial process, participants will learn about the museum and curate a group exhibition. The exhibition and presentations will take place in the Study Center. 

In June and July, the Study Center will be home to art classes for children. Photography for Tweens is from June 20–24 and Street Photography for Teens is from July 11–15. Both classes are sold out, but more will be offered next year.

Also throughout the summer, LACMA’s registrars will begin work in the glass-walled studio in the center to register the Mark and Carolyn Blackburn Collection of Photography. This collection, which consists of more than 5,000 photographs, glass slides, original postcards, cartes-de-visite, and single photographic images from Polynesia, entered LACMA’s collection last year. Stop by to see what the registrars, assisted by summer interns from UCLA, Occidental College, and Pasadena City College, are doing; in the coming weeks, Unframed will take you behind the scenes to learn more about their work.

As always, classes from universities in the area will be visiting. Customized viewings of works on paper in the museum’s collection are available and instructors interested in making an appointment can contact us!