Our History
RoCA is a multi-arts center dedicated to creating and promoting art through its School for The Arts, exhibitions, workshops, literary and performing arts events, Summer Arts Day Camp, and outreach programs. Originally known as the Rockland Foundation, RoCA was founded in 1947 by a group of renowned artists, including Aaron Copland, Paulette Goddard, Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya, Maxwell
Anderson, and Helen Hayes. Their intention was to create a new cultural center, separate from New York City, taking advantage of the immense creative talent that had recently migrated to the region. RoCA outgrew its Nyack storefront and moved in the 1950's to a ten-acre property in West Nyack. What began as a grassroots, volunteer organization has developed into the largest professionally staffed multi-arts center in the lower Hudson Valley. RoCA attracts over 25,000 visitors and students annually from throughout the region. RoCA's School for the Arts and intensive Summer Arts Day Camp has an annual enrollment of over 2000. RoCA's Community Outreach Programs provide studio art programs to the underserved populations in the area. RoCA also administers the County 1% for Art, program that commissions public works of art. "New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature."
