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 Van Der Zee as a catalyst for discussion and art-making.
Are you an Expanding the Walls alum? We would love to keep in touch with you! Send us an email.
Applications are now closed for the next cycle of Expanding the Walls.
For this 2023 Expanding the Walls 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.
Participants receive a $1000 stipend and a Canon EOS Rebel DSLR camera. The program culminates with a celebration of the participants' work.
Program dates: January 10—August 3, 2023
Meetings: Every Tuesday from 4:00 pm—6:30 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am—3:00 pm
Beginning July 5, the program will meet three times a week:
Tuesdays 10:00 am—3:00 pm
Wednesdays 10:00 am—3:00 pm
Thursdays 10:00 am—3:00 pm
All public school holidays and breaks are observed by the program
Expanding the Walls
Online Exhibitions
Capturing The Echo
Expanding the Walls 2022
The online photography exhibition Capturing The Echo: Expanding the Walls 2022 features work by the sixteen artists in the 2022 cohort of The Studio Museum in Harlem’s annual program Expanding the Walls: Making Connections Between Photography, History, and Community.
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 Expanding the Walls: Making Connections Between Photography, History, and Community.
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, participants from New York City–area high schools explore the history and techniques of photography. Hearts in Isolation is The Studio Museum in Harlem’s first online exhibition.
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
Arnell
Hope
Wesley
Bryant
Dautchley
Kelvin
Paulette
Aviolah
Nicholas
Clifford
Jeremy
Totieyanna
Expanding the Walls 2012
Expanding the Walls 2012 Participants
Shatasha
Yasmine
Breanna
Oscar
Zeus
William
Saeed
Iliette
Christian
Joan
Eduardo
Elizabeth
Nathalie
Mariana
André
Expanding the Walls 2011
Expanding the Walls 2011 Participants
Amyrah
Alexandra
Trevin
Edwin
Victor
Senetchut
Sapphire
Matthew
Nadienka
Genevieve
Jamilla
Neil
Ellis
Genesis
Michael
Expanding the Walls 2010
Expanding the Walls 2010 Participants
Natasha
Melina
Tiara
Adeline
Kaholy
Juliet
Stephanie
Nicole
Maya
Fanny
Natasha
Nalijha
Expanding the Walls 2009
Expanding the Walls 2009 Participants
Aishah
Jordana
Adriana
Marly
Courtney
Loodjie
Kelsey
Tiana
Ashley
Rakeisha
Sasha
Brandon
Expanding the Walls 2008
Expanding the Walls 2008 Participants
Alani
Michelle
Sofia
Ivan
Chanelle
Christina
Christeen
Nicole
Keisha
Tempestt