Hochul: Historic $140 million in arts & culture grant funding through New York State Council on the Arts

Funding marks second year of record funding to support recovery of arts

√ $90 million in grant opportunities now open; $50 million in capital funding opportunity to open in September 

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced record grant funding is now available through the New York State Council on the Arts. The agency's first five grant opportunities of fiscal year 2023 are now open for artists and arts and culture organizations across New York. The 2023 state budget appropriation includes $50 million in recovery funds and $50 million in capital projects support, in addition to the agency's base grant-making budget of $40 million.

"New York's arts sector is integral to our state's identity, character and economic well-being," Hochul said. "These historic NYSCA grants will help strengthen nonprofits, spark the creative work of artists in all 62 counties, and revitalize the industry. As we welcome a new era for New York, we must continue to invest in the artists and cultural institutions across New York that make our state the art capital of the world."

The following NYSCA FY 2023 grant opportunities are now open:

√ Support for Organizations provides flexible general operating and programming funding for nonprofit organizations. This funding can also reach fiscally sponsored unincorporated organizations across the state.

√ Support for Artists funds creative commissions to individual artists across the state. Applicants must apply through a fiscal sponsor. NYSCA “embraces the rich diversity of artistry across New York, and applicants from all artistic practices and disciplines are encouraged to apply.”

√ Support for Special Opportunities benefits opportunities that make space, time and learning more accessible for artists and their creative endeavors. The opportunities span creative performance residencies, subsidized rehearsal spaces for all performing art forms, and folk arts apprenticeships.

√ Regrowth and Capacity Enhancement provides organizations with flexible funds to redevelop their ability to serve their audiences with consideration to the impacts of COVID-19. Funds may support a wide breadth of needs, such as: provide payment to artists; support for staffing, support programmatic costs; advance audience development; and assist with necessary health and safety expenses.

√ Support for Partnerships aids regrant and partner organizations across all 62 counties while identifying new opportunities to ensure the greater reach of NYSCA funding and greater access for new applicants. Partnerships cover a range of services.

Additionally, NYSCA will support $50 million in capital projects grants as part of its FY 2023 opportunities. This investment marks the largest single year commitment of capital funding for the arts in NYSCA's history. Guidelines and the application portal for NYSCA's capital grants will be available this fall.

New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Mara Manus said, "New York state is powered by thousands of arts workers and arts and culture organizations that drive our state's economy and are critical to the health of all who call New York home. We are immensely grateful for Gov. Hochul and the State Legislature's responsive and unprecedented investment of $140 million for NYSCA this year – recognizing the expansive impact of the arts across our great state. NYSCA is ready to meet this historic moment by continuing to offer a streamlined grant-making process, flexible funding solutions, and welcoming applicants from every artistic area."

Hochul’s team said, “Last year, NYSCA overhauled its longtime funding structure to pave the way for a more expansive and inclusive process, prioritizing applications from small organizations and applicants that serve historically underrepresented communities. Changes included consolidating and streamlining funding categories; implementing a new, more accessible application portal; and instituting flexible funding solutions.”

New York State Council on the Arts Chair Katherine Nicholls said, "Over the past two years, NYSCA has spearheaded a transformation in the agency's service to the field in response to the pandemic and its ongoing impact. NYSCA's leadership and staff have recognized the unique challenges of reopening for live in-person performances, including the unexpected costs related to health and safety preparedness for organizations across New York. Simultaneously, NYSCA's modified process has successfully welcomed more applicants, grown access and offered vital, flexible funding options. On behalf of the NYSCA Council, I wish to acknowledge Gov. Hochul and our state legislators for their substantive commitment to New York's vast arts and culture sector. This investment will ensure the arts continue to grow, thrive, and attract visitors from across the globe who travel to seek New York's unparalleled creative excellence."

Currently, NYSCA supports 1,525 organizations through more than 3,300 grants spanning all 10 regions of New York. FY 2023 opportunity guidelines and the NYSCA application manual are now available on the NYSCA website.

For more information on NYSCA, visit http://www.arts.ny.gov, or follow NYSCA's Facebook page, Twitter @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.