Rochester Art Schools

When people think of New York, New York City readily comes to mind as it consumes so much of the Empire State’s identity. However, New Yorkers know that a hop on the Hudson River Line will quickly transport you to a world of natural beauty and splendor, and the farther you travel up into and through Upstate New York, the more you realize how much more there is to see and do. The Catskills, the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes, and all the warm, quaint towns and villages peppered throughout Upstate New York are what make this state truly wonderful. Among the many northern destinations, the city of Rochester, which straddles the beautiful Genesee River and faces Lake Ontario, is the state’s third largest city and a reasonable choice for a student pursuing a study in the arts. Whether you refer to it as the “Flour City” (it had once been the largest city for flour producing) or the “Flower City” (its annual Lilac festival draws over 100,000 visitors), the city of Rochester has been historically considered the “World Capital of Imaging” as its most famous citizen, George Eastman, brought the camera to the common man and the company of Kodak to Rochester. His work, as well as his philanthropy, has forever shaped the city’s history, economy, and character. Moreover, the greatest recipient of his contributions is the University of Rochester, which is also the city’s largest employer and home to the famous Eastman School of Music and the Memorial Art Gallery. The Memorial is one of the city’s most popular art attractions, host to the annual Clothesline Art Festival, and an important resource for art students enrolled at the school. Other great resources include the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education, the Rochester Contemporary, and Artisan Works, a 40,000 sq ft. complex with a rooftop garden and internal street of shops and studios. Additionally, Art Walk, an outdoor museum on University Ave, sponsors events such as Muse-A-Thon and the annual Art Auction, and runs from the Memorial to another point of interest, the George Eastman House. Also, thanks to grassroots social networking organization concerned with revitalizing the city’s sense of community, many of the aforementioned venues may be enjoyed on one of the monthly “City Walks” sponsored by the group. Ultimately, a student choosing to attend school in  Rochester will find a unique urban experience where the people are down to earth, the offerings and attractions are numerous, and the surrounding lakes and mountains are truly majestic.