Photo by Jacob Drabik

The Lens

The Lens is the FotoFocus editorial platform, highlighting our programming and featuring in-depth conversations on photography and the moving image drawn from perspectives and insights in our community, throughout our region, and around the globe.


Q&A with Guest Curator Matt Distel

Posted on August 29, 2022

Matt Distel is the Exhibitions Director for The Carnegie in Covington, KY. Distel, a Cincinnati native, has been organizing exhibitions since 1994 with a particular focus on artists from the region. These Things Are Connected will run October 1, 2022–January 28, 2023 at The Carnegie.

Matt Distel is the Exhibitions Director for The Carnegie in Covington, KY. Distel, a Cincinnati native, has been organizing exhibitions since 1994 with a particular focus on artists from the region. Prior to joining The Carnegie, Distel held curator roles at the Cincinnati Art... Continue reading Q&A with Guest Curator Matt Distel


Q&A with Guest Curator Ariel Goldberg

Posted on August 24, 2022

Ariel Goldberg is a writer, curator, and photographer based in New York City. Images on which to build, 1970s–1990s, curated by Goldberg, will run September 30, 2022–February 12, 2023 at the Contemporary Arts Center. Passport holders have early access to the member preview on Friday, September 30, 2022 from 6–8 pm.

Ariel Goldberg is a writer, curator, and photographer based in New York City. They are an experienced educator and have taught photography, writing, and contemporary art practices at numerous universities including Bard College,... Continue reading Q&A with Guest Curator Ariel Goldberg


FotoFocus Announces Free Passport Program for 2022 FotoFocus Biennial 

Posted on August 18, 2022

Passport Grants Access to 100+ FotoFocus Biennial Projects, Invitations to Members-Only Events, and Entry to Exclusive Biennial Program Week Events

FotoFocus is pleased to announce it has launched a free Passport Program for the 2022 edition of the FotoFocus Biennial, the largest photography biennial in America, which takes place September 29 through the end of October. Accessibility is central to the mission of FotoFocus and the organization is proud to announce this is the first time in its history that the Passport Program is free.

The... Continue reading FotoFocus Announces Free Passport Program for 2022 FotoFocus Biennial 


FotoFocus Biennial Project Intern Highlight

Posted on August 9, 2022

Australian artist Ian Strange will create new photographic and film works while completing an Artist in Residence program with FotoFocus at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. The residency includes a student internship program, and Ellie Wallace, painting and drawing major at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, shares her experience as one of the nine paid interns assisting with the Ian Strange project throughout the summer.

Previously on THE LENS, we spoke with Australian artist Ian Strange for a Q&A and featured Romaiza Nadeem, student at the Art... Continue reading FotoFocus Biennial Project Intern Highlight


FotoFocus Biennial Project Incorporates Internships for Local Students

Posted on July 20, 2022

Australian artist Ian Strange will create new photographic and film works while completing an Artist in Residence program with FotoFocus at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. The residency includes a student internship program, and we spoke with Romaiza Nadeem, illustration major at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and one of the nine interns assisting with the Ian Strange project throughout the summer.

Australian artist Ian Strange will create new photographic and film works while completing an Artist in Residence program with FotoFocus at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. The... Continue reading FotoFocus Biennial Project Incorporates Internships for Local Students