Cornell Capa, 1982
© Kurt Fishback

"Photography has the capacity to provide images of man and his environment that are both works of art and moments in history."
                              — Cornell Capa

In Memoriam

Upon his passing in May 2008, the Trustees of ICP established the Cornell Capa Legacy Fund as a vehicle to honor ICP's founder and ensure that his legacy lives on by supporting the institution to which he devoted his life.

Cornell Capa, a renowned photographer and historian, founded ICP in 1974. ICP has presented over 500 exhibitions, bringing the work of more than 3,000 photographers and other artists to the public, and provided thousands of classes and workshops that have enriched the lives of tens of thousands of students and fostered a new generation of innovative photographers.

Cornell Capa's inspiration to create ICP evolved from his desire to preserve and keep alive the work of his late brother, famed photojournalist Robert Capa, and his colleagues Werner Bischof, David "Chim" Seymour, and Dan Weiner. Cornell saw the need to not only preserve their humanitarian documentary work, but also to bring it to a broad public and to encourage "photography which demands personal commitment and concern for mankind." Cornell coined the term "Concerned Photography" to reflect this vision of the photographer dedicated to work that contributed to the understanding of the human condition.

Cornell's original vision for ICP has manifested itself into a world-class museum and an acclaimed school of photography today. The Cornell Capa Legacy Fund will be utilized by the Trustees and senior leadership of ICP for projects that reflect the humanitarian spirit and vision of our founder.