Since 1997, the Robert C. May Photography Endowment Lecture Series has welcomed internationally acclaimed photographers, curators, historians, and photo editors to the University of Kentucky campus. The lectures are free, open to the public, and announced in advance on the University of Kentucky Art Museum website.
Past endowed lecturers include:
- Teju Cole
- Jahi Chikwendiu
- William Christenberry
- Bruce Davidson
- Laila Essaydi
- Wendy Ewald
- Mia Fineman
- Harry Gamboa Jr.
- Marvin Heiferman
- Nina Katchadourian
- An-My Lê
- Sarah Lewis
- Danny Lyon
- Duane Michals
- Catherine Opie
- Martha Rosler
- RaMell Ross
- Stephanie Syjuco
- Sandy Skoglund
- Alec Soth
- Hank Willis Thomas
- Carrie Mae Weems
- Deborah Willis