About Friends of School of the Arts

A Brief History of Our Organization

Into the Woods peformed by SOTA Theatre

The School of the Arts is Rochester’s only arts-based middle and secondary school. The school was opened in 1981 as a small arts magnet by the Rochester City School District. The original students were housed in various locations throughout the city. In 1994, the district opened a new building to advance the successful arts programs and provide the facilities to serve a significantly larger student population.

School of the Arts is located on the corner of Prince Street and University Avenue. It was the former dormitory for the Eastman School of Music. The building was donated and is owned by the Rochester City School District. It was renovated to provide classroom space, labs and an Arts Center complete with three theatres, four dance studios, a music wing and specialized rooms for the various arts disciplines. The original building facade was retained in the Commons area. Performance space includes the Black Box Theatre, Ensemble Theatre and Main Stage Theatre.

School leadership knew that a significant number of low-income students would not have the financial resources to fully participate in the critical arts programs, so in 1992 Friends of School of the Arts was founded.

Mission Statement

Friends of School of the Arts is a charitable, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, organization that provides financial support and guidance to promote the academic, artistic and humanistic success of School of the Arts’ students.

2011-2012 Friends of School of the Arts Board of Directors

Click here for a list of our current Board of Directors.