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)
Richard Gere to receive George Eastman Award
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film announces it will honor Richard Gere with the prestigious George Eastman Award on Feb. 16. The award recognizes Gere’s distinguished contribution to the art of film as well as his global humanitarian leadership. In accepting the honor, Gere joins the company of such film legends as Charles Chaplin, Cecil B. DeMille, Gary Cooper, Gregory Peck, Jimmy Stewart, Audrey Hepburn, Kim Novak, Martin Scorsese, and Meryl Streep. The George Eastman Award was established in 1955 as the first retrospective film award to honor artistic work of enduring value.
Paolo Cherchi Usai returns to Eastman House
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film announces the appointment of Dr. Paolo Cherchi Usai to the position of senior curator of motion pictures, a title he held from 1994 to 2004. He is currently Curator Emeritus of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia and director of the Haghefilm Foundation in the Netherlands. The appointment of Cherchi Usai, a leading figure in film preservation, marks his return to Eastman House, where he began working in 1989 with what is the third largest film collection in the United States.
George Eastman House hosts Photo Finish 5K Oct. 1
Dozens of local non-profit organizations will benefit from a single fundraiser this fall — the George Eastman House Photo Finish 5K presented by MVP Health Care, aka The Philanthropy Challenge, hitting Rochester streets Saturday, Oct. 1. This type of event has become a fundraising frontrunner in major cities, with this local race modeled after the London Marathon, which has raised millions of dollars for charity.
George Eastman House presents Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera
Experience the iconic paintings and illustrations of artist Norman Rockwell alongside the staged photographs on which he based his work, with the exhibition Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera, on view June 25 through Sept. 18, 2011.
Dryden Theatre celebrates Charlie Chaplin in June
The Dryden Theatre pays tribute to Charlie Chaplin throughout the month of June, with a series of 15 films, including Modern Times, The Kid, and City Lights. While it is known Chaplin’s movies were made wholly for himself, they did speak to the whole world — and continue to do so decades later.
George Eastman House swings into 18th season of Garden Vibes
The Garden Vibes summer concert series at George Eastman House is celebrating its 18th year. On four Thursdays in July and August, George Eastman House offers a unique outdoor venue for experiencing live music. Picnic on the Eastman House lawn, relax with friends, and enjoy family-fun activities, while at the same time basking in George Eastman’s historic Townson Terrace garden and surrounding grounds. Concerts are 6 to 8 p.m.