By Sarah Abraham, Part-Time Writing Specialist
September 20, 2022

Southeast Museum of Photography Website

The Southeast Museum of Photography (SMP) not only holds some history of Daytona Beach, but the artwork of Daytona State College (DSC) students and faculty. According to the SMP, the museum has appeared in the Daytona Beach News Journal and has been recognized by the National Endowment for Humanities, the Florida Humanities Council, the Florida Department of State, the NEA and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (read more about the SMP’s history here).

The artwork displayed in the SMP primarily comes from DSC’s very own School of Photography & Media Studies. The School of Photography & Media Studies is 58 years old, and the SMP was created because instructors knew there was a need for a place for students’ work to be showcased. The School of Photography not only has photography classes, but has instructors teaching broadcast television production, digital & interactive media production, photographic technology, and television studio production. Since the School of Photography’s existence, it has maintained its reputation as one of the top photography schools in the United States; naturally, this reputation called for a top-quality museum where photographs of the college can be displayed.

The SMP has been a home to thousands of photographs, hundreds of events, and countless photography students. It is regularly hosting exhibitions, and currently on display are “Gathering Light: One Collector’s Journey” and “Days of Punk”. “Gathering Light: One Collector’s Journey” ends on December 2nd, 2022, and “Days of Punk” ends on December 17, 2022.

Martin Stranka, “Dreamers and Warriors”,  2018.

Daytona State College has been inspiring photography students for decades, and with the SMP, students have the opportunity to showcase their creative work. The SMP has drawn visitors from across Florida and beyond as one of the most prominent photography museums in the state. If you have a chance to stop by, as a student, faculty member, staff member, or member of the general public, it is absolutely worth visiting. The students of the DSC School of Photography & Media Studies work hard to demonstrate their skills and talent, and their abilities shine through the SMP.

Daytona State College Website

  • To learn more about the Southeast Museum of Photography, click here.
  • To see a list of events coming up at the SMP, click here.
  • To learn more about DSC’s School of Photography & Media Studies, click here.