About George Eastman Museum
Founded in 1947, the George Eastman Museum is the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the largest film archives in the United States, located on the historic Rochester estate of entrepreneur and philanthropist George Eastman, the pioneer of popular photography. Its holdings comprise more than 450,000 photographs, 31,000 motion picture films, the world’s preeminent collection of photographic and cinematographic technology, one of the leading libraries of books related to photography and cinema, and extensive holdings of documents and other objects related to George Eastman. As a research and teaching institution, the Eastman Museum has an active publishing program, and its L. Jeffrey Selznick School of Film Preservation’s graduate program (a collaboration with the University of Rochester) makes critical contributions to film preservation. The George Eastman Museum is supported with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Current Press Releases
George Eastman Museum showcases work of In Control teen workshop artists
The George Eastman Museum presents the exhibition Evoke: A Youthful Expression, on view through March 9, 2025, showcasing the work of student artist participants of In Control, a program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York.
George Eastman Museum celebrates 75th anniversary with new exhibition exploring history of photography
Goldie Hawn to Receive George Eastman Award
The George Eastman Museum will honor actor Goldie Hawn with the George Eastman Award for distinguished contribution to the art of cinema on Tuesday, October 22.
George Eastman Museum to present the work of Stanley Wolukau-Wanambwa in October
The George Eastman Museum is delighted to announce the forthcoming exhibition, Scene at Eastman, which will open on October 25, 2024 and close on April 20, 2025. The exhibition will comprise a set of photographs and sculptures made in aluminum, glass, concrete, paper, tin, and other materials. The photographs and sculptures in Scene at Eastman (“the works”) describe various acts and instances of apprehension, of address, of attendance to the presence of others. Some objects are original, others appropriated. The viewer’s own practice of looking is solicited by the works.
George Eastman Museum receives $98,220 grant from Helen Frankenthaler Foundation’s Frankenthaler Climate Initiative
The George Eastman Museum has received a grant award of $98,220 from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation’s Frankenthaler Climate Initiative—the largest private national grantmaking program to support climate change action at cultural institutions and the first nationwide program of its kind for the visual arts. The grant supports the installation of a new LED lighting system in the museum’s Main Galleries and adjacent exhibition spaces.
George Eastman Museum to unveil rare screen test of Adele Astaire
To commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of American dancer, actor, singer, and choreographer Fred Astaire, the George Eastman Museum is pleased to announce the online publication of a unique piece of film history: a 1936 screen test of Astaire’s sister Adele, a Broadway legend in her own right. This is the only known footage of her acting and singing. Unseen for nearly ninety years, it will now be accessible to the public, going live at eastman.org/dark-victory-test on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
George Eastman Museum to present candid exhibition on the life and impact of George Eastman
The George Eastman Museum has announced the next phase of a multiyear project to create a new exhibition on George Eastman’s life and legacy. The George Eastman Story Lab, which will open on Saturday, May 18 in the mansion’s second-floor Sitting Room, will offer visitors the opportunity to provide feedback on the direction of the future exhibition.
A rare nitrate film screening of D.W. Griffith’s Intolerance (1916) ushers in the 8th Nitrate Picture Show
To kick off the eighth annual Nitrate Picture Show, the George Eastman Museum will screen a unique tinted nitrate print of D.W. Griffith’s silent masterpiece Intolerance (1916) on Thursday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. The Nitrate Picture Show is the first festival in the world entirely dedicated to screening original nitrate prints from the 1910s to the 1950s, from silent cinema to Technicolor spectacles. The full program of film titles being shown this year will be announced at a press conference at 10 a.m.
George Eastman Museum appoints Michelle Finn as Curator of the George Eastman Collection
The George Eastman Museum has appointed historian and curator Michelle Finn, PhD, as curator of the George Eastman Collection, with responsibility for George Eastman’s 35,000‑square-foot mansion, its contents, and archival materials comprising more than 200,000 items. Finn will start in the position on April 15.
New Directions: Recent Acquisitions photography exhibition opens at the George Eastman Museum
The George Eastman Museum continues its 75th anniversary celebration with the opening of the exhibition New Directions: Recent Acquisitions on Saturday, March 16 in the Project Gallery. New Directions features work acquired by the museum over the past five years, and showcases significant developments in photographic practice.
New exhibition Crashing into the 60s: Film Posters from the Collection opens at the George Eastman Museum
The George Eastman Museum begins the celebration of its 75th anniversary with a visual journey back to the 1960s. The museum’s newest exhibition, Crashing into the 60s: Film Posters from the Collection, opens Friday, February 2 in its Main Galleries and Potter Peristyle. This exhibition features film posters from the extensive George Eastman Museum collection. In addition, a film series connecting to and expanding upon many of the posters displayed in the exhibition will run in the Dryden Theatre through the exhibition’s run in September.
The George Eastman Museum’s Wish You Were Here lecture series returns on January 25
The George Eastman Museum has announced the winter/spring lineup for its Wish You Were Here lecture series. For over 20 years, this popular photography lecture series has brought artists and photojournalists to Rochester to share their stories and photographs from around the world. The 2024 series will kick off on Thursday, January 25 at 6 p.m., with photographer Gregory Halpern.
Graham Nash to visit Eastman House; to be named George Eastman Honorary Scholar
Witness history as photographer and musician Graham Nash receives the title of George Eastman Honorary Scholar, and discusses his career and the Taking Aim exhibition, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22 in the Dryden Theatre.
University of Rochester and George Eastman House Announce Collaborative Alliance
The University of Rochester and George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, the world’s preeminent museum of imaging, have entered into an alliance to further public engagement, research and education in the arts and sciences, with a focus on the museum’s photography and motion-picture collections. This will be the most extensive museum and university alliance of this type in existence.
Dryden Theatre welcomes Oscar®-winning filmmaker Robin Lehman Friday, Dec. 10
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House will host Rochester-based filmmaker and two-time Oscar® winner Robin Lehman at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10. Screening that evening will be three of Lehman’s thought-provoking films, featuring the pure, wordless cinema of his celebrated short films, his signature cinematography, and his moving and humor-filled documentary Forever Young. Lehman will introduce the films and talk with the audience following the screenings.
Chautauqua, Kodak and Eastman House present history-making week on photography
Chautauqua Institution is partnering with Eastman Kodak Company and George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film for a week unlike any other offered in the Institution’s history — exploring the world of photography with world-renowned speakers, interactive exhibits and activities, and an onsite social media center designed to share the experience with the world.
Dryden Theatre celebrates the films of Cary Grant
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House will present a series of six films in July and August starring Cary Grant, whose name remains synonymous with the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The Dryden series, titled “Cary Grant Comedies,” showcases some of his most famous screwball comedies alongside leading ladies Marilyn Monroe, Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, and Sophia Loren.
Dryden Theatre celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Kurosawa
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House is showcasing the films of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998), one of cinema’s most recognized directors, with a retrospective in August titled “Akira Kurosawa Centennial.” This year marks the 100th anniversary of Kurosawa’s birth and the Dryden is celebrating by screening six of his popular and lesser-known titles.
George Eastman House welcomes filmmaker Ken Burns and his writing partner Geoffrey C. Ward Friday, Aug. 13
George Eastman House welcomes back filmmaker Ken Burns, along with his long-time writing partner Geoffrey C. Ward, for an intimate talk on the Dryden Theatre stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13. “An Evening with Ken Burns & Geoffrey C. Ward” will offer an insider’s look at their artistic approaches and processes, as they talk about advancing an idea into an award-winning film. Burns and Ward each will receive the George Eastman Medal of Honor.
George Eastman House acquires Kodak’s Colorama archive
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Kodak Colorama — the gigantic panoramic images that dominated Grand Central Terminal for 40 years, from 1950 to 1990 — with an international touring exhibition titled Colorama debuting June 19, on view at Eastman House through Oct. 17, 2010. At the same time, Eastman House is announcing Eastman Kodak Company has donated its Colorama archive to the museum.
From daguerreotypes to digital photo albums — photography workshops return to Eastman House
After a decade of training the world’s top photograph conservators via a dedicated post-graduate fellowship program, George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film announces it is again offering Photography Workshops to the public, of varying levels of interest and expertise — photographers, curators, educators, artists, or those interested in the art form.
George Eastman House acquires Merchant Ivory collection
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film announces one of the most important acquisitions in its 61-year history — the collection of Merchant Ivory Productions. This collection of 2,600 elements includes more than 40 film titles, such as Oscar®-winners A Room With a View (1986) and Howards End (1992) and Oscar® nominees such as The Remains of the Day (1993), Mr. and Mrs. Bridge (1990), and The Bostonians (1984).
Technicolor Donates Archive to George Eastman House
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film today announced a major gift to the museum — the historic archive of Technicolor dating from 1915 to 1974. The donation includes rare cameras, documents and drawings, photographs, printers and processing machines, corporate records, and other important materials that represent the history of Technicolor’s groundbreaking contributions to motion pictures. This collection joins the Eastman House’s current Technicolor holdings of early research papers, technology, and the world’s largest collection of Technicolor camera negatives, including The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind.
George Eastman House names new curator of motion pictures
Dr. Caroline Frick Page has been named curator of motion pictures at George House International Museum of Photography and Film, the third largest film archive in the United States. Assuming her position on March 1, she is the sixth curator of motion pictures in the museum’s 61-year history. She has previously worked in film preservation at Warner Bros., Library of Congress, and the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
George Eastman House celebrates Academy Awards® Sunday, March 7
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film will celebrate the 82nd Academy Awards® on Sunday, March 7 with its 14th annual movie-themed Oscars® party — at the home of the father of motion picture film, George Eastman.
Eastman House announces $100,000 Fielding Challenge
George Eastman House announces a $100,000 challenge for 2010, offered by long-time friends Ron and Donna Fielding. Donations made to the museum this year will be matched dollar for dollar. The Fielding Challenge -- being promoted with the tagline “Help us Do A Double-Take” -- is active for every new and increased unrestricted gift made to Eastman House this year, including becoming a member and upgrading membership to a new level.
George Eastman House presents contemporary work of Roger Ballen Feb. 27 - June 6
This winter George Eastman House presents an exhibition of photographs by contemporary, and often controversial, artist Roger Ballen. The 74 black-and-white images of this mini-retrospective, titled Roger Ballen: Photographs 1982-2009, will be on display Feb. 27-June 6, 2010. Eastman House will travel the exhibition worldwide following its Rochester run.
Eastman House celebrates film noir with Dryden series and a talk with mystery writer Charles Benoit
Benoit is the author of mystery novels Out of Order Noble Lies, and Relative Danger, the latter named “Best Mystery/Suspense Book of the Year” by the Independent Publishers Association, and a nominee for an Edgar Allen Poe Award, regarded as the “Oscar®” for mystery writers. Out of Order has also received acclaim and recognition, with The Denver Post noting, “It’s the kind of book Alfred Hitchcock would have filmed.”
Dryden Theatre welcomes Oscar®-winning filmmaker Robin Lehman Saturday, Jan. 30
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House will host Rochester-based filmmaker and two-time Oscar® winner Robin Lehman at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Screening that evening will be Lehman’s two Academy Award®-winning shorts, Don’t and End of the Game, as well as his Oscar®-nominated short Nightlife. Lehman will introduce the films and talk with the audience following the screenings.
Dryden Theatre celebrates the films of DeNiro and Scorsese
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House shines a spotlight on the filmmaking relationship between powerhouse actor Robert DeNiro and celebrated director Martin Scorsese, with a film series in January and February titled Eight Portraits of the Obsessive: The films of Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese.
Dryden presents Black Dynamite Jan. 2 & 3
\The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House presents a Rochester exclusive screening of Black Dynamite, a gut-busting spoof of 1970s blaxploitation movies, and low-budget movies in general. The film has been heralded as one of the funniest movies of 2009.
George Eastman House presents vintage jewelry trunk show Dec. 3–5; proceeds benefit museum
An exhibition and sale of vintage jewelry — including 19th-century photographic items — will highlight three days of events at George Eastman House, offering a chance to own a glamorous piece of history while supporting the museum. This benefit event —featuring the Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection of costume jewelry, which you’ve seen in films such as The Devil Wears Prada, Chicago, and Grey Gardens — will take place Dec. 3 through 5 and includes a preview party and lecture.
Dryden Theatre welcomes filmmaker Bob Byington and actor Kevin Corrigan Friday, Dec. 4
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House welcomes writer/director Bob Byington, who will introduce his debut feature film Harmony and Me at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and talk with the audience following the screening. One of the film’s actors, Kevin Corrigan (Grounded for Life, Goodfellas, Pineapple Express), also will appear in person that evening and take part in the discussion.
George Eastman House Camera book illustrates history of photography from daguerreotype to digital
For the first time in the two centuries of photographic history, a book has been produced that celebrates both the camera and the art of the photograph — displaying images alongside the cameras that created them. George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film launches this month Camera: The History of Photography from Daguerreotype to Digital (Sterling Innovation, 2009, 368 pp., $45). The world’s oldest museum of photography, Eastman House is home to a number of world-class collections, including the world’s largest collection of camera technology.
George Eastman House presents Sixtieth Anniversary Portfolio
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film is commemorating its 60th anniversary in 2009 with a deluxe portfolio of 12 photographs created by celebrated international artists. A limited edition of 25 Sixtieth Anniversary Portfolios is being sold to collectors and institutions.
Dryden Theatre welcomes filmmakers Andrew Bujalski and Bob Byington and three Mumblecore movies
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House welcomes in November and December two filmmakers involved in a relatively new movement in independent cinema known as “Mumblecore,” in addition to several exclusive screenings.
Dryden Theatre sings and dances with Minnelli’s MGM Musicals
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House presents a rollicking series of films this November and December — MINNELLI’S MGM MUSICALS. The featured films of Oscar®-winning director Vincente Minnelli star Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Lena Horne, Judy Holliday, and Dean Martin, among many others. The films in the series are all from the archives of George Eastman House — which holds the world’s largest collection of Technicolor films.
Dryden Theatre presents the ’80s films of John Hughes
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House is “Remembering John Hughes” by screening seven of his most popular films every Wednesday in November through mid-December. From teenage dilemmas to painful vacations, the recently departed John Hughes made fans far beyond the 1980s, although his films did serve as a perfect presentation of decade.
Dryden Theatre celebrates American film criticism with the series “For the Love of Movies”
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House shines a spotlight on American film criticism with a series of screenings in November and December. “For the Love of Movies: The History of American Film Criticism” celebrates those people of letters whose words are devoted to moving pictures, by presenting a number of movies that provoked particularly inspired and influential essays, including Meet Me in St. Louis, Saturday Night Fever, andRashomon.
Dryden Theatre celebrates American film criticism with the series “For the Love of Movies”
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House shines a spotlight on American film criticism with a series of screenings in November and December. “For the Love of Movies: The History of American Film Criticism” celebrates those people of letters whose words are devoted to moving pictures, by presenting a number of movies that provoked particularly inspired and influential essays, including Meet Me in St. Louis, Saturday Night Fever, andRashomon.