Welcome!
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You've come to the right place!
The Rochester Commission for Arts & Culture is committed to supporting, encouraging, and publicly recognizing the exceptional and vibrant arts community of Rochester, New Hampshire. The purpose of this website is to inform residents and visitors of all the various arts-related businesses, organizations, nonprofits, and annual events. The commission meets on the third Thursday of each month in the City Hall Annex. The public is encouraged to attend. Visit the city's website for more information. |
Commission Members
Join the team! Fill out a letter of intent in the City Clerk's office at City Hall.
Elaine M. Lauterborn
City Council |
Michelle Mears
Staff Liaison |
Katie Hogan O'Connor
Poet Laureate |
Amy Marie Regan
Rochester Museum of Fine Arts |
Liz Tonkins-Agea
Granite State Choral Society |
Matt Wyatt
Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, Opera House |
About Rochester, NH
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Rochester, known as the Lilac City, is located in southeastern New Hampshire. With a population of almost 30,000, Rochester is one of the largest cities in New Hampshire. Encompassing over 44 square miles of rolling hills and rivers, Rochester is conveniently located only a short distance from New Hampshire's famous Lakes Region, the White Mountains with its ski resorts and the Seacoast with its superb beaches.
Whether covered with its famous lilacs in the spring, flowers blooming in the summer, spectacular autumn foliage or fresh-fallen snow, the Rochester area is a scenic delight. One of Rochester's many attributes is its excellent air, highway, rail and water transportation connections. Major highways include routes 11, 108, 125, 202 and the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16), a four lane, limited access highway with six exits to the City. This expressway provides easy access to Interstate 95, the Pease International Tradeport, Boston's Logan Airport, Manchester International Airport, the Portland International Jetport and the Port of Portsmouth. The New Hampshire Northcoast rail line and Skyhaven Airport also serve Rochester. Rochester enjoys many of the conveniences of a prospering city combined with the delights of small-town New England traditions. Due to the restoration of the historic Rochester Opera House, cultural and civic activities are offered to residents in the area. Rochester celebrates an annual Lilac Family Fun Festival in the spring, a summer festival at the Rochester Commons, a Fourth of July celebration complete with activities and fireworks in the summer, over 120 years of the Rochester Fair (an old fashioned agricultural fair) held in the fall, and a holiday parade in the winter. Traditions of strong family values, strong work ethic and lasting community spirit sustain the lasting pride among residents and businesses in Rochester. Awareness of Rochester's many natural assets and its recent industrial growth contributes to that pride. A great sense of volunteerism exists that is second to none. Whatever the need, whether for an individual or organization, Rochester opens its heart each and every time to help with a worthwhile cause. Rochester's commitment to economic development has spurred major growth of manufacturing and high-tech companies. The City continues to diversify, strengthen and grow as business and industrial expansions attract new residents to the area. Excellent educational advantages are available to residents. The Richard W. Creteau Regional Technology Center trains students for well-paid positions and assures companies in the area of a skilled workforce. Shopping in Rochester provides residents in the city and surrounding communities with an attractive downtown area and several malls and plazas. Antiques, footwear, appliances, pharmacies, restaurants and a variety of services are found in downtown Rochester and small boutiques to large department and grocery stores are found at several plazas and malls located throughout the City. Cultural and recreational activities include plays at the Rochester Opera House, exhibits by the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, the Rochester Country Club golf course, ball fields, hiking, walking paths, rivers, ponds and lakes. Combined with its natural beauty, easy access and many opportunities, Rochester is The Place To Be. |
Downtown Event on Hanson Street
Parson Main, Central Square
Rochester Public Library
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Visit Rochester, NH
Rochester enjoys many of the conveniences of a prospering city combined with the delights of small-town New England traditions. There are many options for arts, entertainment, dining, and shopping. Check out some of the many independent establishments below. We also include options for outdoor recreation, some just outside the downtown area. Are we missing an entry? Contact us and let us know!
Arts Nonprofits & Groups
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Granite State Choral Society
20 Allen Street #1431 Rochester, NH 03866-1431 www.gschoralsociety.org The Granite State Choral Society has shared its joy of singing and love of music with friends and neighbors since 1974. Its members come from every walk of life with a wide variety of backgrounds and include experienced singers and musicians to novices who are just discovering the joys of choral singing. The chorus performs music from various time periods and cultures including Broadway tunes, folk songs from around the world, as well as well-known classical works. Many generous volunteers in the community assist us in promoting the appreciation of the choral and musical arts and, very often, a portion of the proceeds from our annual concerts are presented to area organizations to help them achieve their goals in serving the community as well. |
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Rochester Historical Society
58 Hanson Street Rochester, NH 03867 www.rochesterhistoricalnh.org/about The Rochester Historical Society Museum is open on Thursdays from 1-4pm for research and viewing our displays. On the second Thursday of each month we have a special program at 7pm with informative speakers. These programs are free and open to the public. |
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Rochester Main Street
18 South Main Street (Suite 2B) Rochester, NH 03867 www.rochestermainstreet.org Rochester Main Street is an economic development and historic preservation program. Our goal is to promote a positive image of downtown by preserving our unique historic character, strengthening our economic base, and emphasizing downtown as the center of community activity. We are accredited as a Certified National Main Street Program through a branch of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Rochester Main Street is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates through an Executive Director and the guidance of a volunteer-based Board of Directors who set the policies and procedures for the overall program. |
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Rochester Museum of Fine Arts
150 Wakefield Street (Suite 135) Rochester, NH 03867 www.rochestermfa.org The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts is a community art initiative dedicated to the accessibility of contemporary works made by regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists. Founded in 2011, the museum works to enrich people’s lives through the presentation of fine art. The museum is located in the Rochester Community Center and Rochester Public Library. The historic Andrew Carnegie Gallery (at the Rochester Public Library) and Mayor Harvey E. Bernier Room (at the Rochester Community Center) feature temporary art exhibits by emerging and seasoned artists, on an alternating monthly basis. The galleries showcase a wide range of original work - from painting and sculpture to works on paper and photography. The museum also curates The Art Gallery at the Rochester Performance & Arts Center (RPAC). Notable past exhibitions featured Susan Kare, graphic designer responsible for many of the interface elements and typefaces for the original Apple Macintosh; Eric Carle, author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a picture book that has been translated into more than 65 languages and sold more than 46 million copies; Wayne White, painter, puppeteer, set designer for Pee Wee’s Playhouse; Robert Indiana, creator of the iconic LOVE statue and stamp; Bob Gruen, famous rock ’n roll photographer for John Lennon, Led Zeppelin, Sex Pistols, and many more; Sunday B. Morning, the screen printing company behind Andy Warhol’s second Marilyn Monroe series; and the Picasso Estate Collection, a selection of original lithographs qualified by Picasso’s granddaughter, Marina Picasso. |
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Rochester Opera House
31 Wakefield Street Rochester, NH 03867 www.rochesteroperahouse.com The historic Rochester Opera House, a not-for-profit organization, presents an annual performance season of shows for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Built within City Hall in 1908, this beautifully restored theater is the only remaining theater in the world with a unique mechanism that raises the orchestra floor at an incline for amphitheater seating and levels the floor for dancing. Our mission is to educate, engage, empower, challenge, and inspire a community of all ages by presenting extraordinary and culturally diverse theatre, performance art, music, dance, and film on the city’s foremost performing arts stage. As we preserve our vibrant historic theater for future generations, we embrace the integration of a broad arts culture in our community. Through the cultivation of new performers, diversity of shows, and innovative arts education programs developed with an “ARTS FOR ALL” philosophy, we bring the incredible power of the arts to the widest possible audience. |
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Rochester Performance & Arts Center (RPAC)
32 North Main Street Rochester, NH 03867 www.rochesteroperahouse.com/rpac Opened in 2017, and just down the block from the historic Rochester Opera House, the Rochester Performance & Arts Center (RPAC) offers additional programming in a smaller setting. RPAC combines a versatile recital hall featuring 150 seats; rehearsal and practice studios; costume and scenic workshops for theatre production; and a premier art gallery featuring emerging and seasoned artists. We offer a wide range of educational programming, music and dance lessons, theatre camps, live performances, cabaret, and more. |
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Rochester Writers Night
Rochester, NH 03867 www.facebook.com/rochesterNHwriters Rochester Writers Night meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at RiverStones Custom Framing and Franklin Gallery starting at 6 p.m.. Local writers of poetry, prose, or music are invited to share their original work. More information is available on our website. |
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Strafford Wind Symphony
PO Box 7041 Gonic, NH 03839 www.straffordwindsymphony.org The Strafford Wind Symphony has a way of creating a supportive atmosphere for the creation and enjoyment of music by non-professional musicians. The SWS provides an opportunity for fellowship between musicians from all walks of life. The commitment to the love of music has kept Strafford Wind Symphony alive and growing. The fifty-five-member ensemble rehearses on Wednesday evenings in Rochester, NH. The SWS performs a variety of music literature from well-known favorites to contemporary pieces. The group has played at venues throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. In 2007, the Wind Symphony collaborated with the Rochester Opera House to offer a concert series to add local cultural experiences to the Seacoast area. 2010 marked the twelfth time that the group has been chosen as a participant in the Boston Festival of Bands, held annually at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, MA each June. Our main purpose is to stimulate interest in symphonic music through our public concerts and regional touring, reaffirming the necessity of the American community band by broadening appreciation for the music we play. It is also an opportunity for our members to grow as musicians and express themselves creatively. We believe it is vitally important to assist in the musical education of our youth and local communities. |
Public Art Gallery
The Beauty of Rochester
Tag #rochesterarts to your best photos on Facebook. The best of the best will get posted here!
Annual Events
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Rochester Arts Awards
presented by the Commission for Arts & Culture & City of Rochester The Rochester Arts Awards celebrates the significant and exceptional art efforts occurring in the city. 10 honorees are awarded each year. The event is held and catered at The Governor's Inn. Past winner's include Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, Home School Theatre Guild, Rochester Opera House, Granite State Choral Society, and many more. |
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Concerts on the Common
presented by Rochester Recreation Dept. www.rochesterrec.com Concerts on the Common are held weekly in the summer by the Rochester Recreation and Arena. They present a wide-variety of bands for residents and visitors to enjoy at no cost. |
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Festival of Trees
presented by Rochester Main Street www.rochestermainstreet.org Festival of Trees is held at Studley's Flower Garden's greenhouse at 82 Wakefield Street. Enjoy caroling, refreshments, and Santa Claus while strolling through dozens of wonderfully decorated trees, generously donated by area businesses and organizations. Get a sneak peek of the trees during Friday's Tree Showcase, and enter the raffles early! Then enjoy the traditional Festival of Trees event Saturday and enter for your chance to win! Enjoy live music and refreshments as you stroll through the beautiful trees. Awards will be given to businesses for a "People's Choice" tree based on total raffle entries submitted both days. You can also vote for your favorite trees for: "Best Decorated" tree, "Most Creative" tree. |
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Free Comic Book Day
presented by Jetpack Comics & Games www.jetpackcomics.com Just like the name says! It’s a day to get FREE COMIC BOOKS. Sponsored by The Rochester Main Street Association, The Governor’s Inn, The Rochester Opera House and Jetpack Comics llc with big thanks to the City of Rochester, NH for allowing this event to happen. This city-wide event will be taking place at locations around the downtown Rochester area. All ages are welcome to attend the event. Families can visit participating locations and collect Free Comic Books! Most of the comic books given away are all ages appropriate. |
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Holiday Parade
presented by Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce www.rochesternh.org Rochester’s Holiday Parade, produced by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, fills the streets of downtown Rochester with youth, organization and commercial floats, VIPs, marching bands and more in celebration of the holiday season. Festive floats, energetic marchers and candy-tossing elves weave their way through a twinkling downtown Rochester, spreading cheer during the Lilac City’s annual holiday parade. |
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National Night Out
presented by Rochester Police Department & Bridging the Gaps www.rochesterpd.org National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. |
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Night Before the 4th of July
presented by Rochester Main Street www.rochestermainstreet.org Enjoy delicious food, great vendors, face painting, children's games, live music, and more! Then enjoy a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30pm! Bring your blankets and chairs! |
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PorchFest Music Festival
presented by Rochester Performance & Arts Center www.rochesteroperahouse.com/porchfest PorchFest is a FREE outdoor music and food truck festival featuring more than 30 bands of all genres! Bands are placed on outdoor stages throughout the downtown and attendees can walk around and hear a little bit of everything. We’ll also have food trucks and vendors at the Union Street parking lot. Participating restaurants and shops will be offering specials and discounts to attendees wearing all-access bracelets. All-access bracelets are only $10 and can be purchased online or at the main booth on Union Street. (Don’t worry, we’ll have volunteers walking around selling bracelets all day.) The all-access pass also gives you access to the after party. You don't want to miss this incredible live music event — There’s something for everyone at Rochester PorchFest! Proceeds raised from this event directly support music scholarships for under-served students at the Rochester Performance & Arts Center. |
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Rochester Fair
www.rochesterfair.com Bring your whole family for fun and entertainment you won’t find anywhere else. We are excited to bring a wholesome experience focused on agriculture and entertainment. From our animal barns to our exhibits and our big top circus to our midway, we are sure there will be something for everyone in the whole family to enjoy! Enjoy a day or night out at the fairgrounds and see what the best ten days in Rochester looks like. |
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Rochester Farmer's Market
www.rochesternhfarmersmarket.com The Rochester Farmers Market was founded to support local farmers, and provide a venue to provide fresh and nutritional food options to the community. The Rochester Farmers Market is a community organization founded to support and encourage local farmers, and provide a venue to promote their wares. |
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Rochester LGBTQ+ Pride
presented by Rochester Main Street www.rochestermainstreet.org Join us for a free community event that celebrates diversity, acceptance, and friendship in a festive downtown atmosphere! Founded in 2016 by the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, our mission is to promote unity, visibility, inclusivity, equality, and a positive image of the LGBTQ+ community. |
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Trick-or-Treat On The Town/Zombie Walk
presented by Rochester Main Street www.rochestermainstreet.org This fun, popular downtown event starts at 4:00pm and lasts through 6:00pm for costumed children 10-years-old and younger. The children are invited to go door-to-door at the local participating businesses to get treats and goodies. Participants are asked to gather in the Union Street parking lot at 4:00pm to pick up treat bags and maps indicating participating businesses. Bags and maps will be available until 5:00pm or until they are gone! |
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Wings & Wheels
presented by Rochester Rotary Charities www.wingsandwheelsrochesternh.com Wings & Wheels is an annual event hosted by Skyhaven, Pease Development Authority, Rochester Police Department, and Rochester Rotary Charities, a program of the Rochester Rotary. Held at local airfield, Rochester's Skyhaven Airport, this event brings over 5,500 people together to enjoy aviation adventures, a car & motorcycle show, crafts, exhibits, music, concessions, games, raffles, and more! |
“This is a great way for residents and city employees alike to share the things that are important to them with the rest of the community, It’s also a vehicle for people in the community who like to write to share their Rochester-related work with a larger audience, so I invite everyone to take advantage of it.” - City Manager Blaine Cox
