For 24 years, photographers of all levels have sought to learn from world-renowned instructors and draw inspiration from New Mexico’s beautiful landscapes at Santa Fe Photographic Workshops.  Starting on June 24, 2012, they can be earning college credit for their workshops, too.

Photo by Ryan Heffernan, SFPW course coordinator, Photo courtesy SFP

“Both institutions are deeply rooted in a sense of place—Santa Fe Workshops in the Southwest and Hastings College in the Plains, and both also highly value experiential learning,” said Dennis Trotter, President of Hastings College.  “This is an ideal way to link two world-class facilities. It enhances Santa Fe Workshops’ capacity to serve its students.  For Hastings College students, this partnership provides access outside of the traditional classroom to the Santa Fe Workshops’ incredible instructors and facilities including their state-of-the-art digital lab.”

Discussions about the partnership emerged when Brett Erickson, Assistant Professor of Communication Arts at Hastings College, took a class of eight students to Santa Fe during the college’s January 2010 Term (J-Term).  (Part of the students’ month-long immersion in a single class included participation in a three-day workshop, “The Winter Landscape,” with Eddie Soloway.) Soon, he and Reid Callanan, Director of Santa Fe Photographic Workshops, were discussing what the path to a formalized academic program might look like.

“I had approached larger institutions before, but had given up on the dream until Brett assured me that a smaller institution could make it happen,” said Callanan.

Callanan also hopes the college credit partnership attracts additional college-age students and teachers seeking continuing education credits.

“College-age students in particular add a palpable energy and such different perspectives on approaching photographic subjects,” said Callanan.

Photo by Taylor Welch, SFPW course coordinator, Photo courtesy SFPW

For additional information about the academic credits and courses for which credit is available, visit http://www.santafeworkshops.com/photography-workshops/category/workshops_for_college_credit.

For more information, contact Carrie McCarthy, Director of Marketing for Santa Fe Photographic Workshops, at 505-983-1400 or carrie@santafeworkshops.com, or Alicia O’Donnell, Communications Manager for Hastings College, at (402) 461-7784 or aodonnell@hastings.edu.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,190 students. Hastings College was named among “America’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review, and a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.

Santa Fe Photographic Workshops, an inspirational resource for photographers, is a year-round educational center. In the beautiful and serene setting of The Workshops campus, participants build confidence in achieving their photographic goals both personally and professionally. With courses in both the technical and creative aspects of photography, The Workshops encourages participants to create work that truly bears their signature. Imagemakers of every kind, and from all around the world, travel to magical Santa Fe to engage their imaginations and rekindle their passion for photography.