…passionate about photography as an art form.

And we’re excited to share our passion with you.

Dedicated

For over a decade, our focus has been to gather and engage experts and curious newcomers in conversation about the ways photography connects and enriches our community.

Independent

From our roots as an advisory council to one of the largest museums in the country, PAC LA is now recognized as a leading independent resource for the entire arts community in Los Angeles and beyond.

Connected

We bring together artists, gallerists, museums, collectors, educators, and individuals to create unique collaborations, programs and experiences.

Active

PAC LA produces a robust calendar of expertly curated public and member events throughout the city, along with online talks and guided travel, on our own and in partnership with other notable arts organizations. We also produce a thought-provoking digital newsletter every month. It’s free, so why not subscribe?

Here for You

PAC LA exists to build, educate, and engage our community, and that means we do this for you. Whether you are a supporting member, a viewer on our YouTube channel, a follower on Instagram, or a first time guest at an event in your neighborhood, we are so glad you found us.

Explore: Programs | Travel | Membership | Team

PAC LA PRESENTS: YEAR OF THE WOMAN

In honor of the powerful women who helped to shape PAC LA's first decade, we are launching Year of the Woman, a series of flagship public educational events celebrating notable women in fine art photography. The organization is building an entire year of programming around this central theme and will offer free, in-person events, held quarterly at venues across the city in 2025 and early 2026.

Read more here.

This groundbreaking programming initiative is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Eastman Museum Los Angeles.

FEB 10 2026 | Sally Mann’s Art Work: On the Creative Life

PAC LA and the Getty Center invite you to a remarkable event, photographer Sally Mann discussing her latest book, Art Work.

Illustrated with photographs, journal entries, and letters that bring immediacy and poignancy to the narrative, the book is full of insights about the hazards of early promise; the unpredictable role of luck; the value of work, work, work, and more hard work; the challenges of rejection and distraction; the importance of risk-taking; and the rewards of knowing why and when you say yes. In sparkling prose and thoughtfully juxtaposed visuals and ephemera, this reading and conversation with critic Leah Ollman is a generous, provocative exploration of creativity by one of our most original thinkers.

Art Work is available to purchase in advance at the registration link, below.

Tues Feb 10 2026 | 7 PM PST | FREE

The Getty Center | Register Here

FEB 27 2026 | A Conversation with Alejandro Cartagena at SHOW LA

PAC LA and SHOW LA are proud to be hosting noted photographer Alejandro Cartagena for an intimate discussion with gallerist Paul Kopeikin. The conversation will focus on where Cartagena sees himself in the greater art world as a photographer, book-maker and advocate for NFT's. Cartagena and Kopeikin will also discuss the current photography scene in Mexico and Latin America and it’s relationship to what's happening right now in the United States.

Immediately following the presentation, Cartagena will sign copies of his new book, Ground Rules at the Aperture booth at Show LA. PAC LA members will receive a 20% discount on the publication.

Attendance at the talk is FREE with registration and a ticket to SHOW LA.

Fri Feb 27 2026 | 2 PM PST | FREE

The Reef in Downtown LA - 4th Floor | SHOW LA Tickets | Talk Registration (coming soon)

MAR 2 2026 | Women Curators - PAC LA Year of the Woman Finale Event

PAC LA and Eastman Los Angeles are proud to close out our Year of the Woman celebration with a lively panel presentation highlighting the profound impact of curation in the photographic arts. The evening features an intergenerational group of notable photo curators from across the country.

Sarah Greenough (The National Gallery of Art), Emilia Mickevicius (The Center for Creative Photography), and Britt Salvesen (LACMA) will come together for a conversation moderated by Allison Pappas (The Morgan Library), about the shape of the field and the role of curatorial practice in photography over the last four decades. In that period, the medium went from being collected by just a handful of museums to being viewed as one of the most popular and incisive forms of contemporary art in institutions of all sizes around the globe—holding relevance that will presumably continue to grow more critical and complex with future social and technological changes.

Monday Mar 2 | 7 PM PST | FREE

Beverly Hills Public Library | Register Here

JAN 31 2026 | Studio Visit with Photographer James Payne

Members are invited to join PAC LA for an exclusive studio visit with photographer James Payne to view his ongoing project, American Portraits, 1977-2025, photographed and presented in 3D,

This work represents almost five decades of 3D portraits taken of Payne’s friends, family and co-workers exploring the interaction between people and the milieu in which they live, reflected in their choices within their homes.

In 1977, Payne began this project while living in an apartment complex in Southern Illinois. All units had the same floor plan with white walls -- painting was prohibited. He noticed how differently people configured their environments and that their personalities and values were revealed in those differences. As Payne began to document friends and neighbors in that complex and beyond he created a visual record reflecting geographic, economic, professional, and lifestyle choices as evidenced in their personal space.

Attendance is strictly limited for this event | Limit 1 RSVP per member, please

Sat Jan 31 | 1 PM PST | FREE for PAC LA Members

James Payne Studios | Register Here

APR 30 - MAY 3 2026 | Member Travel Opportunity: Upstate NY

The George Eastman Museum is the historical epicenter of photography in America and its collections and curators are a literal treasure trove for lovers of the medium. Through our unique partnership, PAC LA has the opportunity to bring our members to Upstate NY this spring as VIP guests. In addition to immersive behind-the-scenes Museum access and exclusive experiences with a notable collector and a Magnum photographer, we will spend time exploring the fabled architecture and arts scene in nearby Buffalo. This full-service guided trip also includes delectable tastes of the famed farm-to-table cuisine of the region, and great company to enjoy every moment with!

April 30 - May 4 2025 | $1,850 for members | $2,150 non-members

Rochester & Buffalo NY | Register Here

PAC LA Membership connects you directly to the heart of the photographic arts community here in Los Angeles.