The CPB Foundation's primary focus is photography education and discourse that takes place through year-round photo education programmes. This activity culminates in a city-wide photography festival every two years. The biennale is a platform for photographers to showcase their work and an opportunity to network with international, national and regional artists and curators. The foundation's programs are diversified under three verticals, @chennaiphotobiennale, education wing and resource hub @cpblearninglab and @cpbprism, which "empowers students to leverage the arts".