The Society Exists as a Benefit to Photographers and Photography

The Society for Photographic Education is a non-profit, membership organization that provides a forum for the discussion of photography and related media as a means of creative expression and cultural insight. Through its interdisciplinary programs, services and publications, the society seeks to promote a wider public understanding of the medium in all its forms, and to foster the development of its practice, teaching, scholarship and criticism. Founded in 1963, the society construes photographic education in the broadest sense, concerning itself with the practice and analysis of the medium both as an art form and as an instrument of social consciousness. In addition to teachers at nearly every academic level, our current membership includes critics, curators, gallery directors, exhibiting photographers, photojournalists and collectors. And the society is growing internationally as well, with representatives from several foreign countries, on this continent and abroad.

Membership Benefits

A year's membership in the Society for Photographic Education brings you exposure, the SPE SPE Member Newsletter, the annual SPE Resource Guide & Membership Directory, reduced rates for national and regional conference attendance, and more. Membership runs from January through December of each year. Membership dues are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.

SPE National Office
Membership Registration
2530 Superior Avenue, #403
Cleveland, OH 44114

STUDENTS- The student rate is only available if you include a letter of good standing from your university registrar with your membership application.

SPE National Conference
Each spring SPE hosts a national conference, a four-day gathering that provides an opportunity for you to exchange ideas with other members, become acquainted with the latest developments in the field, meet some of photography's most illustrious talents and make and renew friendships.

SPE Regional Membership
Eight regional organizations flourish under the umbrella of the national society, each serving the special needs of its local constituency. To create a sense of community within every geographic area, the regions organize annual regional conferences each fall, which range over a wide variety of topics and bring together SPE members in an arena of scholarly inquiry and fellowship.

exposure
The society's acclaimed journal is the leading professional periodical exclusively devoted to the analysis and understanding of photography. For more than 30 years exposure has brought its readers a lively mix of scholarly insight, historical perspectives, critical dialogue, educational issues and reviews of contemporary photographic publications.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY & RESOURCE GUIDE
The Membership Directory & Resource Guide is an invaluable compendium of membership and internal organizational information.

NEWSLETTER
The SPE newsletter, published three times a year, provides information about society business and upcoming events. Job notices, conference schedules, news items and reports from SPE’s eight regions make the newsletter a lively vehicle for communication within the society.

National Web Site
As a member you will also receive advance notice of the latest job opportunities, residencies and exhibitions. In addition, there are conference updates and links to other sites of interest.

Print Portfolio
The society occasionally makes an exclusive portfolio of fine prints available to members. The prints represent a wonderful investment for collectors and art-lovers alike.

Membership Levels

Individual Memberships
Individual memberships include the annual SPE Resource Guide & Membership Directory, SPE Member Newsletters, our critical journal exposure, a discounted rate for SPE’s annual four-day national conference, membership in one of SPE’s eight regional organizations with discount to the regional conference in fall, updates through SPE’s national and regional websites, access to the Fine Print Collectors Program, and more.

Regular Membership
standard membership level with full member benefits

Sustaining Membership
higher level of membership in support of our organization

Collector’s Membership
includes a purchase from the Fine Print Collectors Program

Senior/Retired Membership
subsidized membership level for members who are at least 65 years old and no longer working full-time

Adjunct/Part-Time Membership
subsidized membership level for members who are at the start of their teaching careers and not yet working full-time

Student Membership
subsidized membership level for full-time students currently enrolled in a degree program. Please include proof of current student status (id, letter from university/college registrar, class schedule, etc.)subsidized membership level for full-time students currently enrolled in a degree program. Please include proof of current student status (id, letter from university/college registrar, class schedule, etc.)

International Membership
available at any of the membership levels listed above, please add postage fee to international membership.

Dues for all individual memberships are for the calendar year, January through December. Discounted rates are available for two-year memberships.

Institutional Memberships

In 2005, SPE initiated the new level of institutional membership in response to feedback from our members. In addition to all of the regular membership benefits, an institutional membership includes two regular individual memberships, one complimentary use of the SPE mailing list and a highlighted listing of your school on the SPE website. As we continue to make improvements to the website over the next year, take advantage of the opportunity to highlight your program online at www.spenational.org. SPE memberships are on a calendar-year. To preserve your benefits, join today! Please direct any questions related to your SPE membership to the national office, membership@spenational.org or 216.622.2733.

Corporate Memberships
Corporate membership provides opportunities to expand your visibility and heighten recognition among SPE’s photographic community. This special level of membership includes two individual memberships, a highlighted listing with logo in the SPE Membership Directory & Resource Guide, $400 credit toward advertising in SPE publications, a listing on SPE’s website, national conference fee waiver, a discount rate for rental of SPE’s mailing list, individual membership in one of SPE’s eight regions, and our critical journal exposure. Dues are for one year from the time of signing up.

Click here for details on Corporate Memberships.
See institutional and corporate members

SPE Membership Fees

SPE memberships run by calendar year.

back to the top >>