named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
6×6 Art Making Parties and Make Art Day
Community art-making events that support the annual 6x6 exhibition, encouraging public participation in art creation and fundraising.
Annual Call for Submissions and Exhibition Proposals
Open call for artists to submit work for consideration in future exhibition seasons, promoting diverse and contemporary artistic voices.
COMP Studios Artist Residency
Provides temporary studio space for artists to develop their practice and engage with the public, supporting the contemporary art ecosystem in downtown Rochester.
Temporary Public Art Installation
Twice-annual call for 2D public art installations at RoCo’s main facility, offering artists a platform for incisive and surprising work.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Community-Engaged Public Art Projects 1 activity
- Hosts community art events and participatory programsProduces interactive community events such as make-and-take art workshops, public art installations using large-scale vinyl prints in city windows, and participation in collaborative citywide events like the Joe + N Day Tour music event, where the center serves as a performance venue.
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Donor-Advised Fund Grantmaking 1 activity
- Manages artwork and property donations for planned givingAccepts donations of artwork, tangible personal property, real estate, and bequests through wills as part of its planned giving program.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Organizes contemporary art exhibitions and related public programsCurates and presents contemporary art exhibitions, including juried and thematic group shows, solo presentations, and annual members' exhibitions, often accompanied by opening receptions, artist talks, and panel discussions. Exhibitions cover diverse media and conceptual themes, such as encaustic art, public health, borders and belonging, and regional film and video art.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Provides temporary studio and exhibition space for artistsOffers free, temporary studio and exhibition space to artists through the C.O.M.P. Studios program, supporting artistic development and public engagement.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$704K
Contributions & grants$307K44%
Program service revenue$273K39%
Investment income$124K18%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$383K
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising11%
Salaries & benefits$180K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.21M
Cash$516K
Investments$2.32M
Liabilities$7K
Net assets$3.20M
Liquid reserves88.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +27.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLEU CEASE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 65 | $91K |
board members · 7
- ANNE KONAR — SECRETARY
- CONSTANCE MAURO — PRESIDENT
- CRAIG ZICARI — DIRECTOR
- JERRY WELLS — TREASURER
- KATHERINE DACOSTA — DIRECTOR
- LAURIE SWAGLER — DIRECTOR
- MARK CLEARY — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- County of Monroe Government — Provides partial funding support for programs and exhibitions.
- County of Monroe Government — Receives funding support from the County of Monroe
- Farash Foundation Funder — Receives funding support from the Farash Foundation
- First Friday, Rochester’s Citywide Gallery Night Partner — Collaborates with First Friday, Rochester’s Citywide Gallery Night to expand artist support and public engagement.
- Gouvernet Arts Fund Funder — Receives funding support from the Gouvernet Arts Fund
- Greenwood Books Partner — Partnered to provide books for sale and signing at the event.
- ImageOut College Partner — Collaborated on the "Queering Democracy" exhibition.
- Joe + N Day Tour Partner — Collaborates as venue #6 for the annual Joe + N Day Tour music event.
- Joe Tunis Partner — Collaborated with Joe Tunis as part of the Joe + N Day Tour 2026 music event.
- Joe Tunis Partner — Collaborates with musician Joe Tunis to host a performance as part of the Joe+n Day Tour.
- MCC’s On the Edge Partner — Collaborates with MCC’s On the Edge program to present the "Illumina" exhibition.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides partial funding support for programs and exhibitions.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Receives partial funding support from the New York State Council on the Arts
- R G Miller Partner — Featured artist in the exhibition "Tsi Non:we Entewaha’hara’ne / Our Path Forward" at Rochester Contemporary Art Center.
- Rochester Area Community Foundation Funder — Provides partial funding support for programs and exhibitions.
- Rochester Area Community Foundation Partner — Administers Rochester Contemporary Art Center's growing endowment and provides administrative support for planned giving vehicles.
- Rochester Contemporary Art Center Network — Hosts and organizes the Annual Members Exhibition for participating artists.
- The Farash Foundation Funder — Provides partial funding support for programs and exhibitions.
- University of Rochester Partner — Collaborates with faculty and staff from the University of Rochester, including Allen Topolski who serves as a professor there.
- Working With Wax Partner — Collaborates with Working With Wax group members to moderate panel discussions on encaustic art.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Art as a Catalyst for Community Dialoguemethodology: art-for-community-dialogueBy presenting contemporary art exhibitions that explore social and political themes such as borders and belonging, the organization fosters public dialogue and strengthens community connections, because art creates a shared space for reflection and discussion on complex issues.
- Class-Conscious Curation for Inclusive Cultural Accessmethodology: class-informed curationBy recognizing class perspective in curatorial practices and discourse, the organization broadens access to cultural participation and counters historical exclusion, because inclusive framing of art enables more diverse audiences and artists to engage meaningfully with contemporary art.
- Elevating Marginalized Art Forms through Exhibition and Discoursemethodology: artistic_legitimization_through_exhibitionBy curating exhibitions and public programs that reframe encaustic art as a conceptual and narrative medium, the organization legitimizes it as a form of contemporary art, because institutional recognition and contextualization increase visibility and critical engagement with underrepresented practices.
- Lowering Barriers to Artist Participation and Visibilitymethodology: artist-support-through-space-accessBy providing free, temporary space and open submission opportunities, the organization supports artists—especially local and emerging ones—to create and exhibit work, because reducing structural and economic barriers increases access, diversity, and vitality in the contemporary art ecosystem.