Community Arts & After School Programs

Young Perspectives

An Introduction to Photography for Ages 8–12

CEPA’s introductory program to the art of photography, helping students learn how to express themselves in a new way, and they discover that what they have to say is important—whether it’s said using words or images.

Participating students are encouraged to share their ideas and interpretations of historic and contemporary photography while learning the essential elements of art—composition, line, balance, texture, perspective, shape, form, space, rhythm and contrast. Even though these concepts are often new, students think about them and how they transfer to other areas of learning as they capture their world using black-and-white film cameras, digital cameras, and pinhole cameras.

Students then learn how chemistry works to develop photographs as they watch their images come to life in CEPA’s darkroom. They also learn to manipulate and change the appearance and meaning of their photographs using digital graphic design techniques in CEPA’s digital photo lab, and how to write artist statements and creative reflections to further explore their ideas and visual interpretations.

As they visit sites throughout Buffalo with their cameras, students learn more about photography, their city and environment, and each person’s unique perspective of the world.

Photography Works

A Mentoring Program

Photography Works is a year-long program that will provides 10 students who have a serious interest in photography, with in depth instruction and mentoring in a variety of photo-related careers.

As they explore and interact with professionals, students will:

• Meet working photographers
• Assist in teaching youth classes at CEPA
• Assist in photo shoots
• Gain advanced camera, darkroom and digital skills with unlimited access to CEPA’s darkroom, computer lab and studio lighting equipment

There is no fee for this program, and upon completion the students will get to keep the cameras provided. Students need to commit to meeting weekly after school for the year, but will also be expected to meet at different times with mentors, assist on photoshoots or help with teaching classes (paid opportunities) on days that work with their schedule. Visit our Photography Works page for information about the 2023-24 class.

Our Sponsors

The 2022–2023 Photography Works Program is supported by:

• The Western New York Foundation
• Fujifilm
• The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation
• Get Fokus’d Productions

The 2021–2022 Photography Works Program is supported by:

• The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
• The Stenclik Family Charitable Fund

The 2019–2020 Photography Works Program is supported by:

• The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
• Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
• The Marks Family Foundation

Mapping Community

An Interactive Exploration for Ages 12–16

CEPA’s program created to expose Buffalo’s youth to its rich history and culture.

Mapping Community encourages in-depth exploration and photographic interpretation through research, site visits, and interaction with community leaders and historians.

Past Explorations

Mapping Community themes are customized and largely driven by teachers, students or the community group we are partnering with. Take a look at some of our past explorations below.

Discovering the East Side

Participating youth explored the rich history and architecture of Buffalo’s East Side. With digital cameras in hand, they visited the Colored Musicians Club, the Nash House, the Michigan Street Baptist Church and the African American Cultural Center as they learned about each site’s historical significance from such community leaders as former Common Council President George Arthur and George Scott, Director of the Colored Musicians Club.

Observing Olmsted

Participating youth visited Buffalo’s Olmsted Park System, photographing and writing personal reflections about their experience. A lecture and discussion with an expert from the Olmsted Parks Conservancy exposed them to the commonly unknown history of the parks, reinforcing the idea that they were designed for everyone to visit and enjoy.

Waters of Destiny

Students used Google Maps to find their home and the closest body of water, then learned about the history, importance and beauty of Buffalo Creek, the Niagara River, Lake Erie, the Emerald Channel and Niagara Falls as they photographed their visits to Red Jacket Park, Canalside, Front Park, Broderick Park and Niagara Falls State Park.