The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) serves to foster and advance the arts, culture, and creativity throughout New York State, according to its website. The goal of the council is to allow all New Yorkers to benefit from the contributions the arts give to the city of New York through its communities, education, economic growth, and daily life. Its funding encompasses various artistic fields, such as literary, visual, media, performing arts, specifically focusing on art education and the underserved communities. The NYSCA prioritizes diverse communities, providing inclusive and fair participation in the arts for people of all ages and backgrounds, opportunities for those who want to experience the arts and cultural offerings, the impacts of arts and culture on all aspects of life, the transformation of art and its creative practices, and creativity as an asset. It was established in 1960 through a bill introduced in the New York State Legislature by New York State Senator MacNeil Mitchell (1905–1996), with backing from Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and began its work in 1961. It awards more than 1,600 grants annually to arts, culture, and heritage non-profits and artists throughout the state. Its headquarters are in Manhattan, New York City.

Values

The Budget System

The New York State's annual budget accounts for NYSCA's funding, and operates on a fiscal year of April - March. In the fiscal year of 2023 (FY2023) was a total of $222.50 million dollars in funding, with $90 million grants towards organizations and artists. These grants cover general operating costs for creative projects, performances, activities, programs, and artist's individual work. The remaining amount, $132.5 million, is funded towards capital projects for long-term assets such as physical infrastructures that involve supporting and sustaining related organizations and programs. In FY2025, a total of $162 million dollars in grants were awarded, with $82 million towards organizations and artists, and $80 million towards capital project funds.

NYSCA Guidelines for Grant Opportunities

Small Scale and Midsized Grants

These grants fund organizations of any size, with up to $2 million in funding. These fundings are used towards structural and historical improvements, cultural development, health and safety, sustainability, accessibility, and artistry. Guideline and Application Manual: https://nysca.org/downloads/files/FY2025_NYSCA_CapSmallMidGuidelines.pdf

Large Scale Grants

These grants ranging from $2–10 million for projects that cost a total of $4 million or more, support large-scale capital improvements. Large scale fundings are used to expand cultural programming, increase accessibility, economic development, equity, and diversity. Guideline and Application Manual: https://nysca.org/downloads/files/FY2025_NYSCA_CapLargeGuidelines.pdf

STAFF

Executive Staff Staff === NYSCA Community Regrant Partners === NYSCA's local grant making organization, Statewide Community Regrant Partners (SCR), is a partnership between the state council and regional arts councils and organizations. The partnership enables funding through all 10 regions across New York, to provide support through various art sectors.

Regrant Partners

The list below are grantees that NYSCA partners with to administer funding in the form of regrants. These fundings aid artists, media art practitioners, theatres, museums, organizations, historic sites, historic preservation, and the development and creation of the arts.

Contact

New York State Council on the Arts 411 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10016 (212) 459-8800