(April 4, 2025) The Rochester City School District is proud to partner with the Memorial Art Gallery through the Expanded Learning Collaboration (ELC), a free and enriching program that has been sparking creativity since 2013. What began as an effort to extend the school day through arts integration has grown into a multi-year experience that supports hundreds of RCSD students annually.
The ELC offers students in grades two through four, including those receiving special education services, an opportunity to see themselves in the art they study. By exploring the work of diverse artists, many of whom reflect the students’ own identities, this program helps young learners imagine new possibilities for their futures. It is more than just art, it is about building confidence, connection, and curiosity.
Participating classrooms from School No. 19, School No. 33, and School No. 45 visit the Memorial Art Gallery weekly for 90-minute sessions over four weeks. During each visit, students tour the museum’s collections, engage in thoughtful conversations about what they see, and then roll up their sleeves to create original artwork in the Creative Workshop.
The ELC, which began in one school, has expanded to include more RCSD students each year, providing a valuable way to connect learning with real-world experiences. To learn more about this unique partnership, click here.
