Search Through Grants for Visual Artists in New York in the U.S.

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Wolf Kahn Foundation

The Wolf Kahn Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic achievements of Wolf Kahn (1927-2020) and to sharing them with audiences, scholars, and other artists towards a greater understanding of his work and his lasting contribution to American art of the Second Generation New York School.

Through its grants program and other initiatives, the Foundation supports artists and arts organizations that educate youth and the broader public and that advance artists’ careers through exhibitions, publications, and residencies.

Grants

The Wolf Kahn Foundation grant program continues Wolf Kahn’s commitment to fellow artists, the environment and its effect on creative work, and to the vitality of organizations that advance artists’ careers and educate youth and the public. Guided by our mission, the Foundation supports projects that reflect the practices that shaped Wolf Kahn’s life and work: observation, experimentation, and respect for the work of other artists.

Recent successful proposals include support for exhibitions, publications, residencies, and community or museum-based arts education programs, with an emphasis on projects that advance social justice or environmental awareness through the arts. General operating support for organizations whose programming aligns with these priorities and the Foundation’s mission will also be considered.

Grants are usually in the range of $5,000 to $15,000.

Grants

For nearly 30 years, Staten Island Arts has been providing funding to artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations creating original work, producing cultural programming, and fostering arts education on Staten Island. Public engagement is central to our work, from our guiding community-led grant review panels to our grantees’ public sharing of work.

DCLA Art Fund Grants

This grant category is for individual Staten Island artists and art collectives who produce art or cultural programming. All projects must include a public component or simply a public sharing of work (for example, an exhibition/showing at a local venue).

All art and artistic cultural disciplines are considered, including music, dance, digital/new media, film/video/animation, folk arts, humanities and cultural studies, interdisciplinary events/festivals, literature, public art, theatre, and performing and visual arts. No conduit or 501(c)3 is required.

This grant is funded through the Greater New York Arts Development Fund (GNYADF) of New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA).

Grants

For nearly 30 years, Staten Island Arts has been providing funding to artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations creating original work, producing cultural programming, and fostering arts education on Staten Island. Public engagement is central to our work, from our guiding community-led grant review panels to our grantees’ public sharing of work. 

DCLA Premier Grants

DCLA Premier Grants support first-time applicants.

This grant category is for individual Staten Island artists, collaborative groups of individuals, and community arts and cultural organizations who produce art or cultural programming. All projects must include a public component or simply a public sharing of work (for example, an exhibition/showing at a local venue).

All art and artistic cultural disciplines are considered, including music, dance, digital/new media, film/video/animation, folk arts, humanities and cultural studies, interdisciplinary events/festivals, literature, public art, theatre, and performing and visual arts.

This grant is funded through the Greater New York Arts Development Fund (GNYADF) of New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA).

The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world. Solutions to the problems of today's world still lie in the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion.

The Foundation considers applications for grants in the following areas:

• Education
• Social Service
• Health care
• Civic and cultural
• Environmental

The categories above are not intended to limit the interest of the Foundation from considering other worthwhile projects. In general, the Foundation guidelines are broad to give us flexibility in providing grants.

The majority of our grants are made in the U.S. However, like Dr. Scholl, we recognize the need for a global outlook. Non-U.S. grants are given to organizations where directors have knowledge of the grantee.

ABC (Arts Bring Change) Grant

The ABC (Arts Bring Change) Regrant program supports local cultural organizations and/or individual artists working in partnership with public schools to engage K-12 public school students in rich artistic learning experiences.

The grant is funded by New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency Statewide Community Regrant Program with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

NYSCA Encore Grants

This grant category is for returning Staten Island based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that present programming of artistic and cultural significance in all art and artistic cultural disciplines including, but not limited to music, dance, digital/new media, film/video/animation, folk arts, humanities and cultural studies, interdisciplinary events/festivals, literature, public art, theatre, and performing and visual arts. 

The Encore grant is funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency Statewide Community Regrant Program with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

About The Memorial Trust

In 1975, two years after his death, The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust was established in New York. The four original trustees were a member of the Snow family, a lawyer, a publishing associate and a corporate trustee, the Irving Trust Company, now BNY Mellow N.A.. The current Trustees continue this legacy being well aware of the donor and his beliefs, values and ideals. The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust strategically focuses funding within specific geographic regions of the United States across a range of program areas. They meet once a year, usually in June.

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust

The Memorial Trust strategically focuses funding within specific geographic regions of the United States across a range of program areas (prioritized below and visually depicted here) while responding to the ever-changing needs of various segments of the population, especially to the needs of youth and people who are disadvantaged economically, emotionally, or physically.

Dating back to the inception of the Trust in 1973, the primary and overarching grant making priority has been and continues to be programs that focus on education.

• Education: Targets funds to organizations that provide educational opportunities or academic assistance to individuals who demonstrate an intellectual aptitude and a financial need. Examples include scholarships, fellowships, academic tutoring or counseling, literacy, and journalism.

Secondarily, the Trust considers proposals within the areas of Arts and Culture, Community Initiatives, and Youth Programs. The Board’s objective is to extend the primary educational focus by providing funding support within these additional program areas.

• Community Initiatives: Provides funding for programs or services that directly improve the quality of life within the geographic focus areas that we serve. Examples include support for libraries, food pantries and shelters, and neighborhood revitalization. Generally, the Trust does not seek proposals for health care initiatives or animal welfare programs.
• Arts and Culture: Offers grants that promote arts education and appreciation, particularly for young adults, via the development of educational curriculum and professional instruction including visiting artists and performance support for targeted populations.
• Youth Initiatives: Offers grants that provide character education or enrichment opportunities via mentoring or after-school programming

As a third priority, the Trust does consider proposals in the areas of Disabilities and Universal Access, Environmental, and Historic Preservation. As these are not core focus areas, funding is often limited. Priority will be given to proposals with an educational focus.

• Disabilities and Universal Access: Offers grants to organizations in complying with ADA requirements within their facilities (e.g. elevator, handrails, automatic doors, and ramps) or offering services targeted for individuals with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
• Environmental: Provides funds for organizations that strive to protect strategic parcels of land and bodies of water as well as programs that educate the general public on key environmental issues such as conservation and water management.
• Historic Preservation: Provides funding for organizations that preserve historical artifacts (e.g. sites, structures, objects) and accounts (e.g. events), and educate the greater community on their significance. Examples include museums, historical societies and educational programming.

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

Laura Jane Musser  was born June 4, 1916, the child of Drew Musser and Sarah "Sally" Walker Musser. She lived in Little Falls, MN all of her life at the family home, Linden Hill. Upon her death in 1989 at the age of 73, The Laura Jane Musser came into being to continue on with some of her interests in life, including the arts and helping children, as expressed in the guidelines.Rural Arts ProgramGeneral Operating Support Program In recognition of Laura Jane Musser's life-long commitment to excellence in the arts, and with awareness that pivotal and life-changing experience can occur for individuals through introduction to and participation in the arts, the Laura Jane Musser Fund hopes to encourage and excite a wider population to appreciate, learn, and participate in the arts.  The Musser Fund hopes to assist nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities to develop, implement or sustain exceptional artistic opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music, and performing arts. Priority is placed on organizations that:

• Increase access to the arts through scholarships, hands-on activities, community venues, workshops, discounts and other innovations;
• Demonstrate capacity to engage their community in the creation of art;
• Demonstrate support from their community (through volunteerism, membership, in-kind, or other types of support).

Grantees that request second and third years of support will be asked to report on their progress toward the goals they articulated in their previous year's application, especially in the following areas:

• Increasing access to their services;
• Increasing their organizational sustainability;
• Increasing support from their community. 

The Jerome Foundation promotes a dynamic culture through support for artists, collectives and/or ensembles across all disciplines in the early stages of their vocational artistic lives to create new work and for nonprofit arts organizations that offer programs, services and activities for such artists, collectives and/or ensembles. We support artists and nonprofit arts organizations based in the state of Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City.

Jerome Foundation Values

The Foundation’s core values, which we strive to model in our practice as grantmakers and to support in our grantees, are:

Diversity: We consciously embrace diversity in the broadest sense. We support a diverse range of artists and organizations, including but not limited to those of diverse cultures, races, sexual identities, genders, generations, aesthetics, points of view, physical abilities, and missions. We support a diverse range of artistic disciplines and forms, created in a variety of contexts and for different audiences.

Innovation/Risk: We support artists who and organizations that push the boundaries of their respective disciplines, and we applaud unconventional approaches to solving problems.

Humility: We work for artists (rather than the reverse) and believe that artists and organizations are the best authorities to define their needs and challenges—an essential humility reflective of Jerome Hill, our founder. The artists we support embrace their roles as part of a larger community of artists and citizens, and consciously work with a sense of purpose, whether aesthetic, social or both.

Arts Organization Grants

In alternating years, the Jerome Foundation offers two-year grants for ongoing programs in six discipline(s) for artists that meet Jerome’s eligibility requirements as defined below. Applications are reviewed by panels in Dance; Literature; Media, including film, video, and digital production and new media; Music; Theater; and Visual Arts. Organizations may apply with programs in multiple disciplines. 

A diverse range of programs will be supported in each artistic discipline. This includes both development (artistic or career development and/or technical assistance) and production programs (culminating in a full production/exhibition/publication/etc.). 

No organization (whether previously funded or not) may request more than 25% of a three-year average of its actual annual operating income, based on its three most recent completed fiscal years. In-kind contributions may not be used in calculating this average. For fuller explanation, see the FAQ.

Organizations may seek support for programs activities that serve a broad range of artists, including but not limited to Jerome-eligible artists (i.e., programs that serve both early career and mid-career artists, or include artists from beyond Minnesota or New York City).

However, Jerome grant funds may only be used to cover costs for eligible artists. At least 75% of awarded grant funds must support direct costs for the specific program(s), although an organization might choose to dedicate a higher percentage of the grant to such direct program costs. Up to 25% of the grant funds may be applied to support indirect administrative costs for Jerome-funded programs and/or for ongoing organizational costs connected to services and activities for early career artists.

Mission

The Joseph Robert Foundation is a small Pennsylvania private foundation whose primary purposes are to provide financial support for the arts, animal welfare, and the environment. Our main geographic focus is the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S., but in special cases we may provide support to organizations located outside this area.

We are interested in awarding grants to non-profit organizations addressing significant issues of interest to our Board. We are especially interested in supporting smaller, local organizations that have fewer resources and more limited objectives, although we may also help fund regional or national organizations having specific program or project objectives. Both general operating and project/program support is available.

We welcome first-time grant seekers, support applications from prior grant recipients, and reach out to find eligible organizations that share our goals and interests.

What We Fund

Arts

We believe strongly in the power of the arts to transform both individuals and communities and are committed to reinforcing the importance of the arts as a vital component of our culture. In challenging political times such as these, the role of the arts is too often overlooked, or even denigrated. We want to play our part in asserting the value of the arts by encouraging artists to take risks, explore new possibilities, and reach out to both new and familiar audiences. By nurturing creativity and innovative thinking, we can help artists make an impact on the world around them.

While we are supportive of all forms of creative expression, the interests of the Foundation are primarily in the visual arts. We will also look favorably upon interdisciplinary projects/programs with a visual arts component, or an arts program/project that would further the goals of either of the other of the Foundation’s areas of interest.

Animal Welfare

The plight and circumstances of animals, whether domestic, farm or wild, are areas of deep concern to the Foundation. We are interested in rescuing, protecting, rehabilitating, and providing homes and sanctuaries for the non-human inhabitants of this planet. We are especially interested in helping organizations that identify and provide resources for animal populations in underserved communities. We are also interested in helping with programs that train and educate wildlife rehabilitators and other animal rescue workers.

Environment and Sustainable Resources Management

With ever increasing attacks on the environment and environmental protection, it is critically important to protect and preserve our natural resources, open lands, forests, oceans, waterways, watersheds, and green spaces. The Joseph Robert Foundation is primarily interested in supporting smaller, local organizations that can have a direct impact on their communities, whether through education or through sustainability projects. We may also be interested in contributing to larger organizations that provide essential services to protect and safeguard the environment from threats of all natures.

Grant Period

The normal grant period will be one year, starting from the date the award has been granted. When appropriate, grantees may reapply for Joseph Robert Foundation funding upon the submission of a final report at the end of the funding period.

Grant Amount

Most grant awards to organizations will be under $10,000. First-time grant awards will be limited to $5,000 or less, unless there are compelling circumstances. Determination of the grant amount will be made based on organizational and/or program/project budgets, scope of proposal, organizational qualifications, and overall application quality. Grants to individuals will be limited to $2,000 or less, with sources of matching and in-kind funds considered.  

Grant Type

Organizations may apply for general operating (GO) and/or program/project funds, but larger organizations are limited to applying for program/project funding.

Individual applicants may only apply for project funds.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Calling to Serve

Since its inception in 2016, the Robinson Foundation has sought to demonstrate God’s love through sharing the gifts we have received. We understand the often unspoken hardships and struggles that people in and outside of our community face everyday. As such, our contributions are focused on relieving these hardships for the betterment of our world.

As a family-operated foundation, we pray that our small efforts will not only create immediate change in the lives of our neighbors, but will help set those lives on a course for success in the future. We are thankful for each and every day we have on this earth to use what God has granted us to make a difference.

Areas of Interest

• Animal Welfare
• Children & Families
• Disaster Relief
• Education
• Medical Assistance
• Nature & Wildlife Conservation
• Poverty Relief
• Religious & Spiritual Endeavors
• Veterans' Issues

Grant Considerations

We take many different aspects of applications into account when making grant issuing decisions, however these are some of the high-level questions we ask ourselves during the process:

• How does the organization serve their key audience goals?
• Is the organization fiscally responsible?
• Will a grant have a tangible, meaningful impact?
• Will we see direct results from this grant?
• Does the organization have other financial contributors?

Van Lier Fellowship Program

The Edward and Sally Van Lier Fellowship Program makes grants to arts organizations to support historically underrepresented artists at two important stages of their artistic development: pre-professional, which describes the training and artistic growth of young people ages 6 to 18, prior to attending college or conservatory programs; and young professional, during which adults ages 18 to 30 seek to establish a career in the arts. We issue a separate Request for Proposals (RFP) for each level of development, typically in alternating years.

Our Mission

To foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all.

NYSCA Support for Artists

The New York State Council on the Arts recognizes that artists are at the center of the creative endeavor. NYSCA is committed to providing opportunities for artists, at all stages in their careers, to continue to develop and complete new work. NYSCA Support for Artists seeks to:

• Enhance the vibrant and diverse artistic voices of New York State-based art makers.
• Invest in projects that represent significant growth in the artistic development of individual artists.
• Strengthen the relationships between individual artists and the artistic goals and mission of the sponsoring or commissioning organization, as applicable

Artists may apply for funding, via a sponsoring organization, to create or develop new work. These funds are meant to serve as a commissioning fee or artist fee and are not directly tied to specific production expenses. Applications are accepted in the following artistic areas:

• Choreographer Commissions
• Composer Compositions
• Film, Media and New Technology
• Folk and Traditional Arts
• Interdisciplinary
• Literature
• Theater Commissions
• Visual Arts

About Us

The Huntington Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, promotes arts and culture generated by Long Island artists to our children and to the general population. We work to enrich the cultural, social and economic life of the community by nurturing the professional development of artists, and by providing timely news and events via Arts Cultural Magazine (reaching 20,000 per issue). Our Arts-in-Education program reaches 35,000 children annually through our partner school districts. We also offer artistic programs and services to our more than 100 cultural organization members who encompass the broad spectrum of arts disciplines.

The arts are an important reason why Long Island is increasingly recognized as a great place to live, work and conduct business. The arts generate jobs and wages, millions in annual direct spending, and millions more in terms of indirect spending by people drawn to attend cultural events in our community.

The Huntington Arts Council plays a leading role in sustaining the economic benefits of the arts through its promotion of activities and events in our community. The arts create a vibrant, energized, and culturally rich community.

Since it was founded in 1963, the Huntington Arts Council has inspired and aided the growth of hundreds of art organizations and individual artists now flourishing across Long Island. The Huntington Arts Council celebrates the diversity of Long Island’s cultural resources through sponsored activities, programs and publications that advocate cultural awareness and education.

The Huntington Arts Council is the official arts coordinating agency of the Town of Huntington and serves as the primary regranting agency in Suffolk County for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

General Operating Support Grants for Nonprofits

The Long Island Grants for the Arts, General Operating Support Grant provides funding to non-profit arts organizations for General Operating Support. An arts organization is defined as an organization that provides programming across one or more of the following artistic fields: creative place-making, dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literary arts, multi- disciplinary arts, music, media arts, theater, and visual arts.

Grant Priorities

• Arts and Culture must be a primary focus of the organization’s mission.
• Organizations with an operating budget of $400,000 or less in their most recently completed fiscal year.
  • Applying organizations must submit their operating budget from the most recently completed fiscal year for panel review.

About 

Founded as Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, LMCC serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community.

Since 1973, LMCC has been the champion for independent artists in New York City and the cultural life force of Lower Manhattan.

We envision New York City as a place in which artists and community in dialogue are creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.

Creative Engagement Grants

Creative Engagement is an arts funding program that provides grants to individual artists and nonprofit organizations for projects and activities that offer Manhattan communities diverse artistic experiences. Each year, the program supports over 200 arts projects in Manhattan, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings, and more. Through this grant program, LMCC will award over $500,000 for projects serving Manhattan communities from Inwood to the Battery, taking place between the specified date range.

Funding is provided for projects in the performing, literary, media, and visual arts, ranging from folk/traditional forms to contemporary and socially - engaged artistic practices. Supported activities include concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings, and more. 

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

Founded as  LMCC serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community. Since 1973, LMCC has been the champion for independent artists in New York City and the cultural life force of Lower Manhattan. We envision New York City as a place in which artists and community in dialogue are creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.

Our Mission: To create a fertile and nurturing environment for artists and arts groups, enlivening public spaces with free programs in the visual, performing, and new media arts, and to provide leadership in cultural planning and advocacy.

Manhattan Arts Grants: Creative Engagement

Since 1983, LMCC’s Manhattan Arts Grants have supported Manhattan-based artists, arts groups and community-focused organizations in accessing public funds for the presentation of rich arts activities with the public. These projects have been integral to the cultural vibrancy and arts-driven resiliency of Manhattan

With support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation, LMCC’s Creative Engagement, Creative Learning and UMEZ Arts Engagement programs provide technical support to applicants and awards grants to enable hundreds of arts projects in all disciplines, serving Manhattan communities from Inwood to The Battery.

Our grants are often among the first awards an artist or group receives and can help recipients to leverage additional support from other sources. 

Creative Engagement is designed to support Manhattan-based artists, arts groups and community-focused organizations in accessing public and private funds to share arts activities with the public. The program is comprised of three funds: City funds, provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund, State funds, provided by the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants program, and funds provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation. Funding is intended for artists and organizations that are not able to apply directly to these agencies for arts funding.

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

Founded as  LMCC serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community. Since 1973, LMCC has been the champion for independent artists in New York City and the cultural life force of Lower Manhattan. We envision New York City as a place in which artists and community in dialogue are creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.

Our Mission: To create a fertile and nurturing environment for artists and arts groups, enlivening public spaces with free programs in the visual, performing, and new media arts, and to provide leadership in cultural planning and advocacy.

Manhattan Arts Grants: Creative Learning

Since 1983, LMCC’s Manhattan Arts Grants have supported Manhattan-based artists, arts groups and community-focused organizations in accessing public funds for the presentation of rich arts activities with the public. These projects have been integral to the cultural vibrancy and arts-driven resiliency of Manhattan

With support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation, LMCC’s Creative Engagement, Creative Learning and UMEZ Arts Engagement programs provide technical support to applicants and awards grants to enable hundreds of arts projects in all disciplines, serving Manhattan communities from Inwood to The Battery.

Our grants are often among the first awards an artist or group receives and can help recipients to leverage additional support from other sources. 

Creative Learning is designed to support Manhattan’s teaching artists and small arts organizations in accessing public funds to provide community-based arts education projects and programming for older adults. The program is comprised of two funds: City funds, provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund, and State funds, provided by the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants program. Funding is intended for artists and organizations that are not able to apply directly to the City and/or State for arts funding.

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

Founded as  LMCC serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community. Since 1973, LMCC has been the champion for independent artists in New York City and the cultural life force of Lower Manhattan. We envision New York City as a place in which artists and community in dialogue are creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.

Our Mission: To create a fertile and nurturing environment for artists and arts groups, enlivening public spaces with free programs in the visual, performing, and new media arts, and to provide leadership in cultural planning and advocacy.

Manhattan Arts Grants: UMEZ Arts Engagement

Since 1983, LMCC’s Manhattan Arts Grants have supported Manhattan-based artists, arts groups and community-focused organizations in accessing public funds for the presentation of rich arts activities with the public. These projects have been integral to the cultural vibrancy and arts-driven resiliency of Manhattan

With support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation, LMCC’s Creative Engagement, Creative Learning and UMEZ Arts Engagement programs provide technical support to applicants and awards grants to enable hundreds of arts projects in all disciplines, serving Manhattan communities from Inwood to The Battery.

Our grants are often among the first awards an artist or group receives and can help recipients to leverage additional support from other sources. 

UMEZ Arts Engagement is a grant program designed to support Upper Manhattan artists and arts organizations in accessing Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) funds for presentations that enhance the diversity and frequency of cultural presentations in Upper Manhattan. UMEZ Arts Engagement invites proposals from artists and arts organizations of diverse disciplines, practices, cultural backgrounds, and career stages that are 1) based in Upper Manhattan and 2) presenting art projects or programming in Upper Manhattan, making their work more widely available to the public.

Georgia-Pacific Foundation

Established in 1958, the Georgia-Pacific Foundation sets aside resources to improve life in the communities where we operate. We’ve worked with thousands of outstanding community-based programs, service projects and disaster relief efforts, focusing our investment in four areas we believe make the most impact:

• education
• entrepreneurship
• enrichment of community
• environment

Investment Priorities

• Aligns with GP’s mission and values
• Aligns with GP’s Four Focus Areas of giving: Education, Environment, Enrichment of Community and Entrepreneurship
• Serves communities where GP has manufacturing facilities
• Creates value by contributing to and positively impacting long term well-being and sustainability of GP communities

Helping Build Better Futures

Our mission is to deliver great value to our customers every day. For over four decades, our deep commitment to the principles of providing value and caring for others has helped define our culture. It extends beyond the walls of our stores, distribution centers, and offices, and into our local communities around the world. The intersection of these principles defines our global community mission:

Deliver great value to our communities by helping vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.

Our Social Impact Areas

We bring our community relations mission to life around the world by focusing our giving on four social impact areas where we believe we can have the most impact and are critical to helping families and children succeed and thrive.

Basic Needs

We are passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations that help fill critical basic needs such as a warm meal, clean clothing, and a safe place to sleep for vulnerable families.

Education & Training

Our efforts have focused on quality enrichment and extracurricular programs that provide skills, resources, and opportunities to support school and career success for children, teens, and young adults.

Patient Care & Research

We support organizations that deliver services to families and children facing health challenges and life-threatening illnesses.

Empowering Women

We support programs that provide services ranging from help for those fleeing domestic violence, to others that offer education, training, and job placement resources.

Bronx Council on the Arts

Mission

A pioneering advocate for cultural equity, the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) nurtures the development of a diverse array of artists and arts organizations and builds strong cultural connections in and beyond The Bronx.

We seek to strengthen the cultural ecosystem of The Bronx by nurturing its artists and arts organizations, and by serving the field at large and the public through programs that build connections, provide resources, and advocate for equitable practices.

Opportunities for Bronx Individual Artists, Arts Organizations, and Artist Collectives

The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) offers grant funding and program opportunities to support community-centered arts and culture projects and to recognize outstanding local artists.

Applications are accepted from individual artists, artist collectives, and nonprofit arts or community organizations for projects in a wide variety of disciplines, including dance, visual arts & crafts, theater, music, film & video, opera, folk arts, interdisciplinary arts, literary arts, multi-disciplinary art forms, and others.

Emerging and pre-professional artists, women artists, artists of color, artists with disabilities, artists who identify as LGBTQ, and artists from other historically excluded communities and demographics are strongly encouraged to apply.

Community Engagement Grants: Arts Fund

Since 1982, the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) has offered Community Engagement Grants (CEG) to enrich the cultural life of the borough by supporting high-quality community-based arts projects in all disciplines, genres, and styles.

For this grants program, “community” is defined as: A geographic area; A cultural, social, racial, or socio-economic demographic; An artistic community.

The program is for Bronx-based artists who are not applying directly to the supporting and who are also: individual artists, unincorporated artist collectives or ensembles, or nonprofit organizations with an art mission or program. 

We fund projects via three Funds. Our new process allows you to apply for all three Funds at once: Arts Fund (AF); Community Arts (CA); New Work (NW).

• Arts Fund (AF), supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). (AF) grants are open to individual artists, unincorporated artist collectives or ensembles, and nonprofit organizations with an annual budget under $100,000.

Bronx Council on the Arts

Mission

A pioneering advocate for cultural equity, the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) nurtures the development of a diverse array of artists and arts organizations and builds strong cultural connections in and beyond The Bronx.

We seek to strengthen the cultural ecosystem of The Bronx by nurturing its artists and arts organizations, and by serving the field at large and the public through programs that build connections, provide resources, and advocate for equitable practices.

Opportunities for Bronx Individual Artists, Arts Organizations, and Artist Collectives

The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) offers grant funding and program opportunities to support community-centered arts and culture projects and to recognize outstanding local artists.

Applications are accepted from individual artists, artist collectives, and nonprofit arts or community organizations for projects in a wide variety of disciplines, including dance, visual arts & crafts, theater, music, film & video, opera, folk arts, interdisciplinary arts, literary arts, multi-disciplinary art forms, and others.

Emerging and pre-professional artists, women artists, artists of color, artists with disabilities, artists who identify as LGBTQ, and artists from other historically excluded communities and demographics are strongly encouraged to apply.

Community Engagement Grants: Community Arts

Since 1982, the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) has offered Community Engagement Grants (CEG) to enrich the cultural life of the borough by supporting high-quality community-based arts projects in all disciplines, genres, and styles.

For this grants program, “community” is defined as: A geographic area; A cultural, social, racial, or socio-economic demographic; An artistic community.

The program is for Bronx-based artists who are not applying directly to the supporting and who are also: individual artists, unincorporated artist collectives or ensembles, or nonprofit organizations with an art mission or program. 

We fund projects via three Funds. Our new process allows you to apply for all three Funds at once: Arts Fund (AF); Community Arts (CA); New Work (NW).

• Community Arts (CA) is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants (SCR) program. CA grants are open to individual artists with a fiscal sponsor, unincorporated artist collectives or ensembles with a fiscal sponsor, and nonprofit organizations. 

Local Arts Support

Designed with nonprofit organizations and artist-nonprofit partnerships in mind, Local Arts Support helps develop high-quality local arts projects and programs that focus on community engagement.

About this Grant

Funded by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Local Arts Support funding is for nonprofit organizations and artist-nonprofit partnerships developing high-quality local arts projects and programs that focus on community engagement. The best proposals identify their community, demonstrate engagement with that community, and thoughtfully describe anticipated outcomes. 

In 2025, Local Arts Support distributed $265,000 to 63 projects across the borough.

Support for community arts projects in all disciplines, genres, and styles.

To empower Brooklyn’s artists, arts organizations, and audiences by supporting performances; exhibitions; pop-up galleries; workshops; reading series; festivals; public art; and more.

There is NO match requirement (you do NOT have to show 10% of other sources of income in the overall project budget)