Drew University Art Department

The Photography Program within the Art Department at Drew University offers students a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment to explore the art and practice of image-making. Located just a short train ride from New York City, the program combines rigorous studio training with exposure to one of the world’s greatest centers for contemporary art. Students engage deeply with the medium of photography—its history, its evolving technologies, and its capacity to communicate powerful visual ideas.

Classes emphasize both technical skill and conceptual development. From mastering camera operation, lighting, and post-production editing to exploring experimental and alternative photographic processes, students learn to balance precision with creativity. The program encourages personal expression while grounding students in the critical, aesthetic, and ethical frameworks that define the discipline. Courses often bridge traditional and digital practices, preparing students for a wide range of careers in fine art, media, and visual communication.

Drew’s proximity to New York City provides an extraordinary advantage. Through the New York Semester on Contemporary Art, photography students visit galleries, museums, and artist studios, meeting directly with working professionals, critics, and curators. This immersive experience offers insight into the contemporary art world and the opportunity to understand photography’s role within broader cultural conversations.

On campus, students exhibit their work in the Korn Gallery and contribute to *Insanity’s Horse*, the university’s art and literary magazine. These platforms allow emerging photographers to gain real-world experience in professional presentation and publication. Under the mentorship of accomplished faculty—many of whom are Guggenheim and Fulbright fellows—students refine their artistic voices and expand their creative horizons.

The Photography Program at Drew University cultivates a community of thinkers and makers who are curious, experimental, and engaged with the world around them. Graduates leave with the vision, confidence, and technical mastery to succeed as artists and storytellers in today’s dynamic visual landscape.