Born in 1951 in Westfield, Massachussetts, United States.

Lives and works in New York.


Phillip S. Block was Director of Light Work from 1972 to 82. During this period, he curated over 61 exhibitions and designed a residency program that has become the model for statewide sponsorship. 

From 1975 to 79, he served as Adjunct Curator of Photography at the Everson Museum of Art, where he organized exhibitions with catalogues, including On the Offset Press, Three from the Thirties: Brandt, Brassai, and Bravo; and Alternative Imaging systems. In 1982, he was appointed Associate Director of Education at the International Center of Photography, then Director of Education (86) and Deputy Director for Programs (98).

He has served on the Board of Directors of Photographers and Friends United Against AIDS, The Guild of Book Workers, The Kodak Education Advisory Council, The W. Eugene Smith Foundation and The Society of Photographic Education, and as as advisor to The Gallery Association of New York State, The Center for Book Arts and the New York State Council for the Arts. In addition, he has acted as a juror for numerous grants and awards, such as the Manhattan Borough President's Art Awards JGS Awards and the Overseas Press Club Awards among others.



Phillip S. Block was a nominator for the Discovery Award of the Rencontres d’Arles in 2012. He nominated the following artists: Hannah Whitaker, Lucas Foglia et Sam Falls.