Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester

The Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) is a dynamic nonprofit art venue located in Rochester. Founded in 1977 as the Pyramid Arts Center by Tony Petracca and Gina Mosesson, RoCo has evolved from a series of modest storefronts and warehouse locations into a recognized hub for contemporary visual culture. Its mission is to foster the exchange of ideas and to provide opportunities for both emerging and established artists, with programming that emphasizes inclusivity, experimentation, and dialogue.

Renowned for its annual 6x6 exhibition-an open-call, anonymous art show featuring thousands of original six-inch-square works-RoCo has cultivated an international reputation for making contemporary art accessible to a wide audience. Each piece is exhibited and sold anonymously for $20, with artist identities revealed only after purchase, offering a playful twist on traditional art collecting while directly supporting the center’s programming. In addition to 6x6, RoCo organizes the Makers & Mentors series, pairing influential educators with their students, and the State of the City exhibitions, which explore themes of new urbanism and regional identity.

In 2001, RoCo rebranded and relocated to its current home on East Avenue. The space was officially purchased in 2012 following the launch of a major capital campaign known as The Future Fund. RoCo is also the founding organization behind First Friday, a monthly citywide gallery night that activates art venues throughout Rochester, encouraging public engagement and strengthening the city’s creative network.

With a membership of over 850-60% of whom are artists-RoCo hosts an annual Members' Exhibition and maintains a vibrant schedule of curated shows, performances, and community collaborations. As both a physical and conceptual platform for contemporary art, RoCo continues to shape and reflect Rochester’s cultural identity while building bridges between local expression and global participation.