Why Back The 9th Floor? Community, Creativity, Culture, Future

If you’ve ever stood in front of a painting that seemed to pulse with life, if you’ve ever felt your own story echoed back through someone else’s brush strokes, or if you’ve ever witnessed a group of neighbors connect around a shared creative moment — then you understand the irreplaceable value of the arts.

And yet, far too often, the very organizations that cultivate these experiences, build community, and nurture artists are left to struggle on their own.

Take The 9th Floor Artists Collective here in Rochester. For more than three years, this Black-led, artist-run collective has created an essential home for visual artists — offering affordable studios, workshops, exhibitions, and innovative programs like “The Inner Workroom” (a monthly gathering focused on creativity and well-being for men). Our doors have remained open through sheer determination, modest donations, and the rent paid by artists themselves.

In all that time, despite running impactful programs and hosting events that have brought hundreds through our space, we’ve largely gone unfunded. A few grants and a handful of donations have helped, but the truth is: for over three years, this vital hub has operated without the steady support that most arts institutions rely on to survive.

Why does this matter?

Because organizations like The 9th Floor Artists Collective benefit not only artists. But also, they enrich the entire community. We give emerging and established artists alike the resources, connections, and visibility they need to thrive. We transform vacant storefronts into vibrant cultural spaces. We bring people together across neighborhoods and backgrounds to share in the joy and dialogue that art sparks.

And when artists are supported, entire communities benefit. Art fosters critical thinking, cultural pride, and emotional health. It creates safer, more engaged neighborhoods. It inspires young people to imagine new possibilities for their own lives.

Why should you care?

Because without consistent community support — from people like you — grassroots art spaces close. Creativity dims. Opportunities vanish. The collective culture of our city suffers.

This is especially true for Black-led organizations like ours, which historically receive just a fraction of the funding that larger, predominantly white institutions do. By supporting The 9th Floor Artists Collective, you’re not just keeping one space alive — you’re helping build a more just, vibrant, and culturally rich Rochester.

How can you help?

• Become a monthly donor. Even $10 or $20 a month helps us keep our programs alive and our space maintained.

• Sponsor a program or artist. Looking for a meaningful way to give? Underwrite a workshop, an artist residency, or a community event.

• Attend our shows and bring a friend. Buying art and showing up matters more than you might think.

• Spread the word. Share our story on social media. Talk to your networks. Help others understand why spaces like this deserve to flourish.

At The 9th Floor Artists Collective, we’ve proven we can do a lot with a little. Imagine what we could do with your support.

Because art is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. It’s how we heal, how we learn, how we come together.

If you believe that creativity should have a home in Rochester, help us keep building it.

Learn more and support us today: https://app.thefield.org/home/donation/general/647437/0