City Art Space celebrates its move into a new downtown Rochester location in the heart of the Neighborhood of Play

Rochester, New York – Rochester has gained another cultural cornerstone as RIT’s City Art Space celebrated its move to a brand-new location in the heart of the Neighborhood of Play. The downtown gallery, now situated at 30 Adventure Place, is just steps from the Strong National Museum of Play and surrounded by a growing mix of restaurants, housing, and music venues that continue to reshape the district.

The move was marked by a ribbon cutting on September 3, bringing together community leaders, elected officials, and RIT representatives. Among those present were RIT President Bill Sanders, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, State Senator Jeremy Cooney, Assemblyman Demond Meeks, and Assemblymember Harry Bronson. Their presence highlighted not only the importance of the gallery to the RIT community but also its place in Rochester’s broader effort to revitalize downtown.

Mayor Evans praised the district’s transformation and the way City Art Space adds to its momentum. “This is the place where creativity, innovation, and play all come together. That combination is part of what makes Rochester such a unique place to live: A place where ideas turn into art, and art inspires new ideas,” Evans said. “RIT’s City Art Space isn’t just a gallery. It’s a bridge between campus and community. A place where students and faculty can share their work, and where all of us can come to see, learn, and be inspired.”

A New Chapter for a Downtown Fixture

City Art Space has been part of Rochester’s cultural landscape for over 20 years, but the move to Adventure Place signals a reinvention. The gallery is operated by RIT’s College of Art and Design, which has long used the space as a platform for student learning, faculty exhibitions, and community programming. Free and open to the public year-round, the gallery serves both as a classroom and a showcase.

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For President Sanders, the gallery’s relocation underscores RIT’s commitment to the city. “City Art Space has long been a place where our students, faculty, alumni, and community artists share their creativity, their connections, and showcase the incredibly breadth of talent that defines RIT and the city,” Sanders said. “This is RIT’s only downtown venue dedicated to art, design, and creativity, and we are thrilled to continue that legacy.”

Todd Jokl, dean of the College of Art and Design, emphasized that the new location also strengthens ties with nearby institutions. The Strong Museum, a major neighbor, offers a natural partnership. “We are ecstatic as we enter this next chapter in RIT City Art Space’s more than two decades located in the downtown community,” Jokl said. “We encourage you to come down for a visit to RIT City Art Space, the Strong Museum, and the wonderful restaurant and entertainment partners all around us in this vibrant Neighborhood of Play.”

Blending Art, Learning, and Community

The gallery’s mission remains focused on providing opportunities for experiential learning while inviting the public into the creative process. Students can exhibit senior projects, alumni can share their latest work, and faculty can showcase research-driven creative endeavors. But it is also a community stage, a place where collaborative projects and public events can flourish.

Gallery Director John Aasp noted that the new space opens even more doors for connection. “You’re always going to see something different when you visit. It could be a group of students working on their senior projects, it could be a faculty member showing their recent work, or a big community collaborative project,” Aasp said. “We aim to keep a variety of meaningful, expressive, creative projects that are accessible and spark different aspects of learning for many different audiences. That has been something that we’ve been committed to for a quarter century.”

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Looking ahead, Aasp teased a diverse lineup of programs and events, from the Roc Indie Book & Zine Fair to exhibitions featuring RIT students and faculty. He stressed that what excites him most is deepening the day-to-day interaction between RIT students and the city—something the new central location makes much easier.

A Season of Exhibitions

The gallery’s inaugural exhibition in its new home is DESIGN X GLASS, a collaboration that blends contemporary design with the age-old craft of glassblowing. The show, which runs September 5–21, is inspired by the legendary design vision of Lella and Massimo Vignelli. Featuring work by designers across disciplines alongside master glassblowers from the Corning Museum of Glass, it represents the kind of partnership that City Art Space is known for fostering.

Following DESIGN X GLASS, the gallery will continue with a packed fall calendar. An exhibition by Jennifer Schoonmaker and Christina Leung opens October 3 and runs through October 26. Then, Eric Kunsman’s “Felicific Calculus” takes the stage from October 31 to November 23, exploring themes through both art and data. The year will conclude with the First Year MFA Projects 2025 exhibition, opening December 5 and running until December 21, giving the public a glimpse at the creative directions of RIT’s newest graduate students.

More Than a Gallery

City Art Space’s relocation represents more than just a change of address. It’s a symbol of how cultural institutions can anchor revitalization efforts while staying true to their missions. For RIT, it is also a bridge—connecting the energy of its campus with the life of downtown Rochester.

The gallery’s presence in the Neighborhood of Play means visitors can pair a trip to an exhibition with a stop at the Strong Museum, dinner nearby, or a night out at a local music venue. Leaders see this synergy as crucial to creating a district that thrives not just as a tourist destination but as a lived-in, creative neighborhood for residents.

City Art Space’s new chapter began with applause, speeches, and ribbon cutting, but the real celebration is expected to unfold in the months and years ahead. With exhibitions scheduled, partnerships growing, and students ready to take advantage of the opportunities, Rochester’s newest cultural space is set to play a central role in the evolving story of its downtown.