Expanding the Walls
Expanding the Walls: Making Connections Between Photography, History and Community is an eight-month photography-based program for a select group of students enrolled in a high school or GED program. Participants work with a diverse group of arts professionals to explore issues related to community, history, and culture while learning the basics of photography in a regimen of art workshops, discussion groups, and field excursions. Expanding the Walls uses the work of renowned photographer James VanDerZee as a catalyst for discussion and art-making. The program culminates with a celebration of the participants' work.
Are you an Expanding the Walls alum? We would love to keep in touch with you! Send us an email.
Applications are now open for the next cycle of Expanding the Walls. The application deadline is Monday, November 8th, 2021 by 11:59 pm.
For the 2022 cycle, we are accepting applications from teens who live or attend high schools, or equivalency programs, in Harlem and upper Manhattan neighborhoods, as well as the South Bronx. Meetings will take place online and may shift to in person in the spring or summer.
Program dates: Every Tuesday from January 4—August 2nd, 2022.
Meetings: Every Tuesday from 4:00–6:30 pm
Starting in July program will meet two times a week
Tuesdays 4:00–6:30 pm
Thursdays 11:00 am–2:00 pm
All public school holidays and breaks are observed by the program
Expanding the Walls
Online Exhibitions
What Have We Stopped Hiding?
Expanding the Walls 2021
The online photography exhibition What Have We Stopped Hiding?: Expanding the Walls 2021 features work by the seventeen artists in the 2021 cohort of The Studio Museum in Harlem’s annual program
Hearts in Isolation
Expanding the Walls 2020
Hearts in Isolation presents work by fifteen artists in the 2020 cohort of Expanding the Walls: Making Connections Between Photography, History, and Community. During the eight-month program,
Watch | Expanding the Walls: Making Connections Between Photography, History and Community
Expanding the Walls Participants
Expanding the Walls 2016
Expanding the Walls 2016 Participants Grace Amilcar Alannis Ariana Chelsea Giordalis Richard Dalen Jibreel Amber Joyel Ashley
Expanding the Walls 2015
Expanding the Walls 2015 Participants Angelica Saragine Henry Zainab Amanda Alana Akash Sterling Nola Tiera Demettrius Xiaoxuan
Expanding the Walls 2014
Expanding the Walls 2014 Participants Brendly D'Angelo Kelvin Andrew Gilberto Jesus Christopher Sarah Justin Gabriella Steven Maia Atzimba Alice
Expanding the Walls 2013
Expanding the Walls 2013 Participants
Expanding the Walls 2012
Expanding the Walls 2012 Participants
Expanding the Walls 2011
Expanding the Walls 2011 Participants
Expanding the Walls 2010
Expanding the Walls 2010 Participants
Expanding the Walls 2009
Expanding the Walls 2009 Participants
Expanding the Walls 2008
Expanding the Walls 2008 Participants Alani Michelle Sofia Ivan Chanelle Christina Christeen Nicole Keisha Tempestt