About Us

In 1968, RIT began relocating its campus from downtown Rochester to Henrietta, but the art department remained in downtown until the 1990s. Located at 50 W. Main Street, it was known as “City Center" and housed a handful of remaining RIT offices, the graduate painting studios, and an art gallery. After the building was sold, RIT's footprint in downtown was set to disappear.

In 1999, Gallery r opened its doors on Park Avenue — driven by a small group of art faculty who wanted to keep a connection between RIT students and the downtown art community. In 2012, Gallery r moved to a new space on College Avenue near Village Gate Square, continuing its mission in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts through 2018.

With its rebranding and relocation to Sibley Square in 2018, City Art Space further expanded its scope and widened its impact on Rochester’s arts and culture community. The space was designed with the help of RIT Interior Design students, and nominated for an Urban Innovation Award by the Community Design Center. It was also named one of "Rochester's Coolest Spaces" by the Rochester Business Journal.

Exhibitions and programs broadened, including new collaborations with local artists and organizations, projects with major museums and collections, all while continuing to focus on the creative work of RIT students, faculty and alumni. Artist talks, panel discussions and community gatherings, alongside First Fridays, Rochester’s monthly city-wide gallery night, have become regular occurences. RIT student employees gain valuable experience in a dynamic, professional setting, collaborating with artists, assisting with exhibition installation and gallery management. 

UPDATE! In September 2025, City Art Space will relocate to Rochester's Neighborhood of Play, near the recently renovated Strong National Museum of Play. Read more here, and join our email list for the latest updates.