The Griffin Museum of Photography is a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the art of photography. Through our many exhibitions, programs and lectures, we strive to encourage a broader understanding and appreciation of the visual, emotional and social impact of photographic art.
At the Griffin Museum, you will find exhibitions from well-known photographers to those emerging on the scene that explore important themes and thought-provoking ideas. All of our exhibitions and programs are designed to encourage the passionate exploration of the art of photography.
About Arthur Griffin
Arthur Griffin was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on September 12, 1903. Originally trained to be an illustrator, in 1929 he picked up his first camera — a second-hand folding Brownie — and thus began a passion that would last a lifetime.
By the mid-1930’s, Arthur Griffin had become the exclusive photographer for the newly created Boston Globe Rotogravure Magazine and the New England photojournalist for Life and Time magazines. He went on to become a pioneer in the use of color film and provided the first color photographs to appear in the Saturday Evening Post — a two-page layout on New England.
About the Griffin Museum of Photography
Opened in 1992, the Griffin Museum, a 501 (c)(3) public charity, is the embodiment of founder Arthur Griffin’s passion — to promote an appreciation of photographic art and a broader understanding of its visual, emotional, and social impact. Arthur’s goal was to share with visitors his enthusiasm for a medium that is diverse, imaginative and informative. We are committed to continuing to encourage Arthur’s vision through the works we exhibit, the programs we offer, the artists we encourage and through Arthur’s own work which we proudly display.
Today, the Griffin Museum houses three galleries, and three satellite galleries dedicated solely to the exhibition of photographic arts.
The Griffin Galleries
The Main Gallery
The largest of our three galleries, the Main Gallery is a showcase for rotating exhibitions from some of the world’s leading photographers. We take pride in showing prestigious bodies of work from diverse photographic genres, ranging from photojournalism to contemporary art, and historical to social commentary. Our exhibitions have featured the work of such photographic luminaries as Edward Weston, Sebastião Salgado, Teenie Harris and Edward Curtis, as well as contemporary iconoclast Jan Staller and celebrity photographer Peggy Sirota. We also take great pride in producing exhibitions constructed specifically by contemporary photographers under the umbrella of an idea that informs and educates through the photograph.
The Griffin Gallery and the Atelier Gallery
At the Griffin Museum, we are constantly reviewing works by new photographers with an eye toward capturing who the next great artist will be. Our Atelier and Griffin Gallery is reserved specifically for showcasing these artists, providing a rare opportunity to view their work before they are widely known.
Satellite Galleries
The Griffin Museum also has three satellite galleries located in surrounding towns. We have a gallery in Stoneham, at the Greater Boston Stage Company (formerly called the Stoneham Theatre), Lafayette City Center Passageway in Boston Downtown Crossing, and at 530 Harrison in the South End at the Griffin @ SoWa. See our links for current exhibits details.
