named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
APAG Annual Conference
Two-day event featuring keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions on photography archives, copyright, AI, publishing, and the art market
APAG Awards
Annual recognition program honoring lifetime achievement in photography, archive management, and distinguished service
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Archival Digitization and Preservation 2 activities
- Connects national network of photography professionals and institutionsMaintains and strengthens a collaborative network of over 150 archives, photographers, foundations, and institutions to support knowledge sharing and professional development in photographic preservation.
- Provides resources and education for managing photographic archivesOffers information, expert guidance, and educational materials to support photographers, archivists, and institutions in preserving and managing photographic archives. This includes the publication of "The Photo Archive Handbook: What You Need to Know" (2024).
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Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Advances advocacy through public speaking and panel participationEngages in public education and advocacy by participating in panels at events such as POWarts and Photoville, and delivering talks at academic and cultural institutions including Harvard University, NYU, and the St. Louis Art Museum.
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Artist and Curatorial Publications 1 activity
- Conducts research and produces scholarly publications on photographyAuthors and co-edits books on significant photographers, including "Ruth Orkin: A Photo Spirit," co-authors exhibition catalogs such as for the National Gallery’s "André Kertész" exhibit, and organizes reissues of historically important photography books like Kertész’s "On Reading."
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Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Facilitates access to photographic archives through organized site visitsPlans and conducts behind-the-scenes tours and field trips to major photographic archives including the New York Times Morgue, Rodney Smith Archive, Richard Avedon Foundation, Gordon Parks Foundation, and Mana Contemporary, providing members with direct exposure to archival practices.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Organizes member meetings, workshops, and networking eventsHosts regular virtual meetings every three weeks, in-person gatherings three times per year at the International Center of Photography, and additional workshops and networking events that connect members with specialists in conservation, estate planning, licensing, and museum acquisitions.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Produces and directs documentary films on photographersDirected and produced the documentaries "Ruth Orkin: Frames of Life," which premiered at Sundance and was recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and "Morris Engel: The Independent," which aired on Turner Classic Movies.
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Artist Legacy Preservation and Documentation 1 activity
- Supports preservation and exhibition of 20th and 21st century photographyProvides ongoing support to photographers, archivists, and institutions in preserving, documenting, and exhibiting historic and contemporary photographic works, with a focus on long-term legacy and access.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Builds capacity through professional training and partnershipsTeaches workshops for photographers and collectors at institutions such as Christie’s Education, ICP School, and Maine Media College, and co-founded Vagrant Ventures to increase public access to photographic collections.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$85K
Contributions & grants$45K53%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$67K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$33K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$20K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$10K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +22.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY ENGEL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $30K |
| JULIE GRAHAME | BOARD MEMBER | 8 | $2K |
| GRAYSON DANTZIC | BOARD MEMBER | 4 | $750 |
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- Bern Schwartz Family Foundation Partner — Sponsor of APAG.
- Center of Photography at Woodstock Partner — Alice Sachs Zimet serves on the Advisory Board of the Center of Photography at Woodstock and of APAG.
- Dolph Briscoe Center for American History Partner — Sponsor of APAG.
- Gordon Parks Foundation Partner — Hosted a behind-the-scenes tour for APAG members in July 2016.
- Griffin Museum of Photography Partner — Awarded Mary Engel and APAG the Focus Spotlight Award in 2017
- Harvard Art Museums Partner — Alice Sachs Zimet chairs the Photography Curatorial Committee at Harvard Art Museums and serves on the APAG Advisory Board.
- Howard Greenberg Partner — Sponsor of APAG.
- Howard Greenberg Gallery Partner — Hosted a panel event on photographic estate issues in October 2008, moderated by APAG founder Mary Engel.
- International Center of Photography Partner — Alice Sachs Zimet chairs the Collections Committee at the International Center of Photography and serves on the APAG Advisory Board.
- International Center of Photography Partner — Hosted APAG meetings at ICP facilities
- International Center of Photography Partner — Hosts APAG meetings three times a year.
- International Center of Photography Partner — Sponsored an APAG field trip to Mana Contemporary and provided a tour of the ICP Archives.
- John Cooney Partner — Sponsor of APAG.
- Klein Sandler Family Fund Partner — Sponsor of APAG.
- Magnum Foundation Partner — Alice Sachs Zimet serves as a board member of the Magnum Foundation and on the APAG Advisory Board.
- Magnum Foundation Partner — Partner organization collaborating with APAG.
- Museum of the City of New York Partner — Sean Corcoran, Senior Curator at the Museum of the City of New York, serves on the APAG Advisory Board.
- PhotoWings.org Partner — Partner organization collaborating with APAG.
- Richard Avedon Foundation Partner — Hosted a tour for 35 APAG members, providing access to prints and negatives in its archive.
- SRipLaw Partner — Sponsor of APAG.
- School of Visual Arts, Graduate Program in Photography and related Media Partner — Partner organization collaborating with APAG.
- Scott Pascucci/MHG Collective Partner — Sponsor of APAG.
- Sotheby's Partner — Participated in a panel on photographic estate issues at Howard Greenberg Gallery in October 2008.
- The Andre and Elizabeth Kertesz Foundation Inc. Partner — Sponsor of APAG.
- The Gordon Parks Foundation Partner — Sponsor of APAG.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art Partner — Participated in a panel on photographic estate issues at Howard Greenberg Gallery in October 2008.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Archival Stewardship Through Practical Managementmethodology: archival_stewardshipBy promoting selective digitization, organizational transparency, de-cluttering, and active use of digital platforms, the organization enhances the sustainability of photographic archives because structured, modern practices increase accessibility and reduce loss.
- Curated Membership for Focused Stewardshipmethodology: membership_curationBy limiting general membership to photographers, archivists, and heirs actively managing photographic archives, the organization ensures relevant and effective programming because shared practical needs lead to higher engagement and knowledge transfer.
- Education and Advocacy for Archival Preservationmethodology: education_and_advocacyBy providing education, advocacy, and professional resources, the organization ensures the long-term preservation and accessibility of photographic archives because informed stewards are more capable of sustaining and sharing cultural assets.
- Peer and Network-Based Knowledge Exchangemethodology: peer_support_networkBy building a peer support community and engaging heirs and professionals in a shared network, the organization strengthens archival stewardship because collective experience and interdisciplinary collaboration improve preservation outcomes.
- Succession Planning Aligned With Photographer Intentmethodology: archival_succession_planningBy advocating for thoughtful succession planning that includes an executor familiar with the photographer’s philosophy and industry context, the organization ensures continuity in archival stewardship because personal and professional alignment preserves the integrity and purpose of the archive.