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 Receives Agha Jani Kashmiri Archive
George Eastman Museum Presents Photo Art Therapy: A Convergence of Creativity and the Healing Process
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Sweet Creations at the George Eastman Museum
George Eastman Museum to host West Side Story screening and conversation with Rita Moreno
Ghosts, Vampires, and Cult Classics Haunt at the Dryden Theatre this October
New exhibition by artist Erica Baum presents poetry of word and image at the George Eastman Museum
George Eastman Museum Showcases Major Photography and Moving Image Exhibitions Throughout 2025 and 2026
Tickets On Sale Now for George Eastman Award Ceremony and Gala Honoring Rita Moreno
Dryden Theatre Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Latin Film Screenings and Discussions
Rita Moreno to receive George Eastman Award for Contributions to the Art of Cinema
New exhibition explores climate-aware and environmentally sustainable solutions at the George Eastman Museum
George Eastman Museum to present American, born Hungary: Kertész, Capa, and the Hungarian American Photographic Legacy
George Eastman Museum to present The World is Waiting for the Sunrise: A Sing-along with Maggie Paxson
Explore 130 Years of Film History with the Launch of Film Atlas, a New Interactive Online Resource
George Eastman Museum to Host Free Admission Day in Celebration of 75th Anniversary
Tunes in blooms: George Eastman Museum’s Garden Vibes outdoor Concert Series summer lineup set
Seeing & Being Seen: LGBTQ+ Visions of Rochester to honor strength and resiliency of LGBTQ+ people in Rochester, NY
George Eastman Museum to acquire and preserve the complete master recordings for the moving image works of Bill Viola
Zig Jackson: The Journey of Rising Buffalo Reveals a Living, Breathing Representation of Indigenous Cultures
Original Technicolor Nitrate Print of Becky Sharp (1935) to Open Ninth Nitrate Picture Show at George Eastman Museum
George Eastman Museum to Present Conversation with Renowned Artist Liz Deschenes
With her exhibition Frames per Second (Silent) as a focus, Liz Deschenes will be in conversation with Phil Taylor, associate curator at the George Eastman Museum, on Wednesday, April 2 at 6 p.m. in the Dryden Theatre.
The Dryden Theatre and The Little Theatre Come Together to Honor Legendary Director David Lynch
With the passing of David Lynch in January, modern cinema lost one of its enigmatic masters. Over a career of forty-five years, Lynch touched the worlds of television, film, music, and more. To honor his life and celebrate his work, the Dryden Theatre and The Little Theatre are collaborating to bring some of Lynch’s iconic, groundbreaking work to downtown Rochester cinemas in the best way possible—on the big screen.
George Eastman Museum to Host 90-Second Newbery Film Festival to Encourage Reading and Media Literacy Among Youth
On Saturday, April 5 from 2 to 4 p.m., join representatives from the George Eastman Museum, Writers & Books, and KidsOutAndAbout.com in the Dryden Theatre for the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival, a program of short films by children and teens.
George Eastman Museum to celebrate Home Movie Day, a free worldwide event on March 22
On March 22 the George Eastman Museum will present Home Movie Day, bringing this free, worldwide event to Rochester, New York.
George Eastman Museum presents creative works by student artists in "Flower City Arts Center Studio 678 Photo Club" exhibition
Creative works by student artists who are a part of the Flower City Arts Center’s Studio 678 Photo Club will be presented in the George Eastman Museum’s community gallery, Gallery Obscura, from March 15 through May 11. These photographs and texts are inspired by the students’ vision of the world around them.
Free panel discussion at George Eastman Museum to mark the close of "Evoke: A Youthful Expression" exhibition
On Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11 a.m. student artists involved in In Control, Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York's creative arts programs for teens, will participate in a panel discussion sharing their experiences in photography, music, fashion design, radio, and media.
New Wish You Were Here Lecture Series at George Eastman Museum
George Eastman Museum Celebrates Women’s History Month Through Photography, Film, and Performance
Lindsay McIntyre’s Ajjigiingiluktaaqtugut (We Are All Different) forms a remarkable statement about Indigenous identity
Dutch Connection: A Sweet Reminder That Spring Is On Its Way
Dryden Theatre to present six complimentary screenings in February to celebrate Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, the Dryden Theatre will present six complimentary screenings, organized by the George Eastman Museum. Complimentary admission to all films is sponsored by Nocon & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC., and media partner 103.9 WDKX
Dates and Titles
George Eastman Museum Council Celebrates Valentine's Day With Brunch & Film Event
From Rochester, With Love Film Series Celebrates Local Artists’ Contributions to Cinema
George Eastman Museum Presents Liz Deschenes: Frames per Second (Silent)
The George Eastman Museum receives $65,350 grant award from the National Film Preservation Foundation
The George Eastman Museum recently received a grant award for $65,350 from the National Film Preservation Foundation to preserve three severely endangered nitrate feature films from the museum’s collection. The prints of His Last Race (US 1923), Payroll Pirates (US 1920), and When Betty Bets (US 1917) are likely the only versions of the films that still exist. Due to severe nitrate decomposition in all three films, this is the last chance to save these unique prints.
George Eastman Museum receives Best in Show accolades for David Levinthal: War, Myth, Desire publication
The George Eastman Museum was recently awarded the Frances Smyth-Ravenel Prize in the 29th annual Museum Publications Design Competition, presented by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This “Best in Show” honor was given to the museum for its David Levinthal: War, Myth, Desire (2019) publication.
The George Eastman Museum hosts Kota Ezawa for a virtual artist’s talk on October 22
The George Eastman Museum will host a virtual artist’s talk with Kota Ezawa in conversation with Bruce Barnes, Ron and Donna Fielding Director of the George Eastman Museum, on Thursday, October 22 at 6 p.m. The talk is free, and registration via Zoom is required as space is limited.
George Eastman Museum will open new Thomas Tischer Visitor Center on October 10
The George Eastman Museum officially cut the ribbon to open its new Thomas Tischer Visitor Center this morning at a 10 a.m. press conference. The Thomas Tischer Visitor Center includes the ESL Federal Credit Union Pavilion, which will serve as the museum’s new main entrance, located next to the Dryden Theatre. The transformative project, costing more than $5 million, was made possible by funding from a combination of philanthropy from individuals and private foundations, local corporate support, and a grant from the State of New York.
George Eastman Museum to install monumental Colorama
The George Eastman Museum is installing a reproduction of a Colorama image adjacent to its new Thomas Tischer Visitor Center. The public opening of the Tischer Visitor Center and the Colorama will be on Saturday, October 10.
George Eastman Museum receives $249,517 grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services
The George Eastman Museum has received a grant award of $249, 517 from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through its Museums for America grant program. This is the largest grant program of IMLS. The Eastman Museum’s initiative to conserve 1,004 South Asian films in its collection was one of 109 projects that received part of the more than $19 million in grants awarded.