This year has been one of change for VSW. 2024 has encompassed the last cohort of graduates of our MFA program, celebrations of our history, and a relocation to bolster the work of Visual Studies Workshop for decades to come. 

Yes, VSW is moving and re-opening in Spring 2025!

Our refreshed mission has roots in our history and hope for the future: to nurture experimental and expansive approaches to photography and media arts, and to build community among artists and the public through exhibitions, publications and residencies. 

As part of this shift we will be relocating to a new home that is the right physical size for VSW, our mission, and our programming. VSW’s new home at 36 King Street in the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood is an excellent fit for our organization’s programs and activities, is fully accessible, and has improved HVAC systems to better care for collections. This new, accessible home will continue to be a hub and a home for our Rochester community and artists from around the world. 

We are excited for this new chapter, and we are grateful that you are along for the ride with us. 

Some Frequently Asked Questions are below. If you have additional questions about VSW’s move or if you would like to discuss a donation, please contact Executive Director Jessica Johnston jessicajohnston@vsw.org. Read the official press release here.

Make a donation to support the future of VSW

New Home of VSW

Why is VSW moving?

This move is good news for VSW. The staff and board have been considering the future of VSW since we celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2019. The MFA program came to an end and the final MFA students graduated in June 2024. With that change and some other strategic, organizational shifts, we made the decision to right-size our home to better fit VSW programming, archives, staff, and artists. 

The move will occur over Fall and Winter 2024; VSW will continue its Salon programming virtually over Fall 2024, and will open to the public in our new location in early 2025. 

Are you staying in Rochester?

Yes, we are staying in the City of Rochester. The new VSW home is located at 36 King Street, in the Susan B Anthony neighborhood, right across from Susan B. Anthony Square Park. 

What is the new building like?

The new building is fully accessible, more modern, and has an improved HVAC system for better care of the collections. After renovations, the building will include a new gallery for exhibitions, a theater for public film presentations, artist studios and workspace, collections and research library, and office space. 

Will VSW maintain its archives?

Yes, VSW will maintain collections. VSW will retain materials related to the history of VSW and its alumni, the Independent Press Archive,16mm film collection, historic video collection related to our region and state, copyright free image study collections, and an art history research library of 8,000 books and periodicals.

With recent mission and space changes, VSW has been responsibly deaccessioning certain materials that no longer serve the mission or programs of the organization.

Will you need to pause programming?

The move will occur over Fall and Winter 2024; VSW will continue its Salon programming virtually over Fall 2024, and will open to the public in our new location Spring 2025. 

How can I support VSW?

VSW continues to need and appreciate support for residencies, exhibitions, and programming. 

You can make a donation online today. To make a contribution to VSW’s endowment fund, add VSW to your estate plans, or to make a lead contribution, contact Executive Director Jessica Johnston at  jessicajohnston@vsw.org.