What is ICP?

The International Center of Photography (ICP) was founded by Cornell Capa in 1974. It started

as a museum and homage to his brother, Robert Capa. As the organization grew, the need for a school arose. The

school's first location was on 5th Avenue in an area known as Museum Mile. Today the school and museum are

kitty-corner on the Avenue of the Americas (aka 6th Ave.), a block from Times

Square. The museum (pictured above) will relocate to a yet-to-be-announced location in 2015. The school will

remain at its current location. 

WHO WAS CORNELL CAPA?

Both Cornell and Robert Capa were war photographers. Robert was known for his coverage of the

Spanish Civil War and Second World War. Both men were Magnum photographers but Cornell left the front lines,

and a job with Life magazine, following the death of his brother in 1954. Long before the internet and social media,

the surviving Capa wanted to perseve the work of fallen war photographers, as well as establish an

international basecamp for future photographic talent. Cornell believed knowledge was power.

He believed photography more than looking through the lens. For him, photography was a catalyst to

bring about postive social change.  In his own words:

"It took me some time to realize that the camera is a mere tool, capable of many uses and at last I understood

that for me, its role, its power and its duty are to comment, describe, provoke discussion, awaken conscience,

evoke sympathy, spotlight human misery and joy which would otherwise pass [unnoticed]."

Cornell coined the term "Concerned Photographer", which refers to photographers who use

photographs to educate and change the world.

 Cornell died in New York in 2008 at the age of 90. He is buried beside his wife, mother and brother (Robert) at the

Friends Meeting Burial Ground in Amawalk, New York.