RoCA was founded in 1947 in the Hudson River waterfront village of Nyack, NY by a group of community leaders and renowned artists including Aaron Copland, Paulette Goddard, Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya, Maxwell Anderson, and Helen Hayes. Their intention was to “make use of the abundant artistic talent” in their community by offering courses of instruction, exhibitions, lectures, plays and concerts “of a caliber seldom available outside of New York City.”
RoCA soon outgrew its Nyack storefront and moved in the early 1950’s to a ten-acre wooded property in West Nyack donated by a patron, Maryann Emerson. It has continued to flourish for more than 60 years, serving its audience throughout its history with excellence in the visual, literary, and performing arts, and now also in the digital arts.
RoCA has become a major Rockland County cultural center that attracts thousands of visitors and students annually from the greater New York City Metropolitan area.
RoCA Gratefully acknowledges support from the Arts Fund for Rockland, a Project of the Arts Council of Rockland.
RoCa's programs and exhibitions are also made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts
with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.