About Us:

Rockaway Artists Alliance, Inc. (RAA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) arts organization comprised of individuals who view the arts as vital to the health of our community. Formed in 1994, it is our mission to encourage and engage residents of Rockaway, particularly our youth, in the arts and cultural activities. As a community based organization we provide:

- Free lectures, presentations, exhibitions and special events open to the community at large  - Mentoring of local youth in artistic endeavors to enhance and beautify the various neighborhoods of Rockaway in projects involving public spaces such as bus shelters, Parks Department lifeguard quarters, murals for NYC Housing Authority and NYC school buildings

- Information to the community through a weekly local newspaper column of upcoming cultural events and activities Our accomplishments include:

- The successful implementation of a comprehensive school arts program within Rockaway's public schools. Funding sources which allow us to provide direct arts education courses to students, ages 5-20, include contracts with New York City's Department of Youth and Community Development and the Board of Education

- Collaborative efforts with the administration of Gateway's National Recreational Area have led to RAA's utilization of two buildings located within this urban national park. Renovation of these buildings are currently underway to allow for the establishment of the first cultural arts center in the area.

The Rockaway Peninsula is in dire need of additional educational enhancement services for youth, as well as the creation of meaningful employment opportunities for them. The goal of RAA's cultural arts programs are to provide the youth in the community with constructive activities, as well as introducing them to career options, through comprehensive education in the arts, exposure to diverse cultures and histories, and to enhance academic, social and communication skills.

The RAA presents approximately one dozen exhibitions each year in its two galleries, sTudio 6 and sTudio 7, at the Rockaway Center for the Arts (RoCA) at Fort Tilden in the Rockaways. In addition to showcasing well known individual artists and traveling exhibitions, the RAA also highlights the best work of local artists as well as work from across the country and around the world.

The RAA hosts exhibitions that explore the wide span of the arts and creative endeavor. Sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, filmmaking, performance art, digital art, construction, ceramics, poetry and literature are just some of the many areas presented. The performing arts in all their variety music, dance, spoken word and more -are also featured through special RAA sponsored events and celebratory show openings, either within the galleries themselves or on the adjacent outdoor Moonstage.