About Us

Centrally located on Main Street in the village of Alfred, the Cohen Gallery is an educational art center, an ever-evolving creative hub and gathering space for students, faculty, and the community at large. The gallery presents artwork by School of Art and Design faculty, staff, visiting artists, alumni and facilitates community-based projects. Students assist in all aspects of gallery management including curation, exhibition design and gallery sales.

The Cohen Gallery hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year. “The Shop at Cohen” a recently opened retail space, offers fine art and craft for sale by faculty and staff. Gallery interns, and work-study students gain practical experience building exhibitions start to finish. Classes in Exhibition Design promote best practice in exhibition planning, concept design, technical lighting, proper handling and installation of artwork among other topics.

“The Shop at Cohen”, a collaboration between the School of Art and Design and the College of Business, provides paid Internships in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. Interns gain valuable business experience managing the store and retail website.

The Cohen Center for the Arts, which includes the Cohen Gallery, Art Studios, and Visiting Artist apartments, was made possible by a generous gift from Michele and Martin Cohen, parents of Adam Cohen, class of 2003.

History & Features

Once a fraternity house, this turn-of-the-century Victorian house was converted to an art gallery on the first floor, Cohen Gallery, with apartments for visiting artists and faculty members on the second floor. Within the newer constructed building behind the house is Cohen Studios, housing Freshman Foundation studios and wide-open, flexible spaces for various projects.