MoCP Celebrates 50 Years of Collecting Contemporary Photography

The Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago marks a major milestone with an exhibition showcasing its evolving collection.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) at Columbia College Chicago is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the exhibition 'MoCP at Fifty: Collecting Through the Decades.' The exhibition, on view from January 22 to May 16, 2026, offers a retrospective exploration of the museum's approach to building its dynamic collection of over 18,000 works by more than 2,000 artists. Each of the museum's five galleries represents a decade of collecting, highlighting the evolution of the photographic canon and the museum's efforts to address historical gaps in representation.

Why it matters

As a cornerstone of contemporary photography, MoCP has played a vital role in shaping how photography is understood, studied, and appreciated worldwide. This exhibition provides an opportunity to reflect on the museum's stewardship and recognize how its collection participates in larger conversations about the influence of images on our understanding of the world.

The details

The exhibition features over 100 works from MoCP's collection, including iconic and influential artists such as Joel Sternfeld, Barbara Crane, Matthew Finley, Carrie Mae Weems, Yasuhiro Ishimoto, Dayanita Singh, Bob Thall, and Carlotta Corpron. The decades-based organization of the galleries allows visitors to witness the evolution of photographic aesthetics, techniques, and processes, as well as the museum's efforts to address historical gaps in representation and embrace a more inclusive perspective.

  • The exhibition will be on view from January 22 to May 16, 2026.
  • MoCP began its acquisitions in 1979, two years after opening its doors in 1976.

The players

Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP)

A cornerstone of contemporary photography, the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago has amassed a collection of over 18,000 works by more than 2,000 artists over the past 50 years.

Karen Irvine

The Chief Curator and Deputy Director of the Museum of Contemporary Photography.

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What they’re saying

“Over fifty years, MoCP has assembled a collection that mirrors shifting cultural, political, and visual histories. This exhibition offers a moment to reflect on our stewardship, recognizing that every photograph in our care participates in a larger conversation about how images influence our understanding of the world.”

— Karen Irvine, Chief Curator and Deputy Director (all-about-photo.com)

What’s next

The exhibition will be on view at the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago from January 22 to May 16, 2026, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the museum's evolving collection and its impact on the photographic canon.

The takeaway

MoCP's 50-year anniversary exhibition highlights the museum's enduring impact on the photographic world, honoring its past while looking forward to the next decades of discovery, innovation, and inspiration in contemporary photography. The exhibition's decade-by-decade approach underscores the museum's commitment to embracing diversity, innovation, and critical engagement, continuously redefining what a photography museum can offer the public.