Refine Your Voice & Build Your Skills
The Creative Practices program embraces a diverse range of photographic approaches for innovative expression in an atmosphere of cooperative learning. Students are not only encouraged to explore and define their own goals, but also challenged to situate their work within the broader context of the cultural, artistic, sociopolitical, and psychological use of images.
Featuring an accelerated investigation into the history of photography, contemporary theory, and craft, the curriculum also boasts a large selection of electives. Through these varied offerings, students can let their curiosity and passions lead them in new directions, ranging from nontraditional documentary narrative to experimental image production to other media, including video, sound, performance, and installation. By solidifying each student’s technical skills and broadening their vision, we build a foundation for ongoing, meaningful, and content-driven individual and collective practice.
Meet the Chair
Darin Mickey
Chair of the Creative Practices Program.
Darin Mickey, is a New York–based photographer and musician. He is the author of Death Takes a Holiday, J&L Books 2016, Stuff I Gotta Remember Not To Forget, J&L Books 2007, and co-author of Glacial Erratics, Roman Nvmerals 2024. Learn More
Program Highlights
At ICP, students study with a diverse faculty of top practitioners and professionals in the field. Full-time students have access to ICP’s state-of-the-art facilities–including digital media labs, analog black-and-white and color darkrooms, lighting studios, and a wide range of equipment available through the Equipment Room. Over the course of the program term, students develop their personal vision and have the opportunity to work with ICP's museum, library, collection, and public programming to broaden their imagemaking knowledge while connecting with ICP's international photography community.
The year culminates in an end-of-year exhibition in ICP's museum and 1:1 portfolio reviews with key professionals in the field, including photo editors at major publications.
Program Structure
- Two Semesters: Fall (Aug-Dec) and Spring (Jan-May), 15 week/ semester
- Class Hours: 18 hours per week minimum
- Full-Time Commitment: Approximately 40 hours per week, including class hours
- Personalized Registration: One-on-one course registration with the Program Chair
- Course Offerings: Required courses, electives, and weekend and January workshops
Student Work
Key Areas of Study: Course List
Required Courses
- Creative Practices Seminar
- Digital Workflows
- Photoshop and Printing
- Technical Seminar in Black-and-White Photography
- Technical Seminar in Color Photography
- Photo, Art, and Media: A History
- Technical Seminar in Colour PhotographyTechnical Seminar in Black and White Photography
- Digital Production Seminar
- Creative Practices Seminar
Weekend Workshops
- Views from Home
- Creative Practices: Mid-Year Reviews
- Writing to Images
- How to Make Friends & Use the Internet
- On The Wall: Exhibition Practices and Techniques
- The Art of The Handmade Photographic Artist's Book
- Demystifying Editorial Photo Assignments
Electives
- Light and Shadow
- The Experience of Place
- Intimacy and Distance
- The Hand and The Machine
- Let There Be Light
- Land of the Lost: Poetics and Practice of Video Making for Photographers
- Beyond the Land of the Lost: Further Explorations in Video Making for Photographers
- Large-Format Photography
- Music Over Truth
- Photo Zine as Narrative Platform
- A Study in Strobes
- The Loom: Weaving Media
- Alternative Processes
- Editorial Concepts Across Media Platforms
- Stereo Views (Online)
- Critical Writing for Artists
- Stories and Style: A Narrative Approach
- Recent Histories: A Survey of Contemporary Photo-Based Art
- The Art and Science of Experimental Photography
- A Study in Strobes
- Realms of The Field
- Independent Projects in Video/ Multi-Media
- The Surreal Self
- Alternative Processes: Non-Silver Printing
Program Overview
Application Checklist
Portfolio
A portfolio of 15-20 photographic images. Each image should be a jpeg not exceeding 5mb and no larger than 1280 x 1280 at 72ppi. Videos up to five minutes in length may also be submitted. Please test all digital materials before submitting.
Statement of Purpose
A one-page Statement of Purpose with less than 500 words describing your reasons for applying to the program and elaborating on the influences on your work, its current direction, and your research interests.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
In addition to the general admission requirements, all international applicants whose primary/native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. International applicants must submit valid English language proficiency test results taken within the past two years. We permit applicants to submit one of the following tests: TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo English Test.
Proof of High School Completion
Copy of Transcript or Diploma from High School, College, University or any equivalent. This document must be in English.
Resume or CV
A summary of education, professional, and other relevant experiences.
Letters of Recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's personal and artistic strengths. Recommenders should be familiar with the applicant's work and may include professionals from any field, such as employers, professors, mentors, or practicing artists—not necessarily limited to photography. Recommenders are encouraged to assess the applicant's academic abilities, creative vision, and potential for success in the program.
Application Fee
$60 Application Fee
Scholarships and Fellowships
ICP offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships and fellowships for both domestic and international students. These awards provide partial tuition support to select, highly qualified applicants. For more information, please visit here.
Program Cost
On-Site Programs
Annual Tuition: $36,000 $26,000*
Annual Lab Fee: $1,500
Equipment Insurance Fee: $142
Slideroom Application Fee: $60
Total Cost: $27,702
*A significant gift has allowed ICP to lower the tuition for the onsite One-Year Certificate Programs for 2025-26 academic year by $10,000. Tuition for both the Creative Practices and the Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism programs is now $26,000, plus fees. The standard annual tuition for ICP's OYC programs is $36,000.
