New York Construction Report staff writer
Up to $37 million in capital funding is available to nonprofit arts and culture organizations through the New York State Council on the Arts’ Capital Projects Fund. The Fund has two grant categories: Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants and Large Capital Improvement Grants.
NYSCA’s Capital Projects Fund will support arts and cultural nonprofits seeking funding for investments in capital improvements that allow organizations to sustain and expand cultural programming for diverse audiences, promote accessibility and environmental sustainability, preserve and create jobs, and ultimately contribute to the growth of New York’s arts and tourism sectors.
The announcement, made at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Perelman Arts Center, is in addition to about $132 million in capital awards from NYSCA earlier this year, including new multi-year funding to facilitate large-scale capital projects that prioritize community development and placemaking.
The two opportunities are:
- Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture: This opportunity funds projects and nonprofit arts and culture organizations of any size, with grants of up to $2 million that prioritize accessibility, artistry, cultural development, sustainability, health and safety, and structural and historical improvements. $10,000, $25,000, and $50,000 no-match grants are available for organizations with operating budgets under $2 million. Strong projects combine excellence in design with informed decisions about organizational capacity and community needs that will positively affect the future of arts and cultural organizations across New York.
- Large Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture: This multiyear opportunity will support arts and cultural nonprofits across the state that are undertaking impactful, large-scale capital improvements. Grants will range from $2 million to $10 million for projects that have a total cost of $4 million or more. This funding will support investments that allow organizations to thrive by expanding cultural programming, reaching new and diverse audiences, and promoting accessibility. These grants will also help advance the State’s goals around economic development, diversity, equity and inclusion and will require all applicants to commit to social equity initiatives and access plans that serve all New Yorkers.
The application portal and guidelines for these opportunities are open until Jan. 11, 2024 at arts.ny.gov. NYSCA will also conduct webinars about the application process and host multiple virtual office sessions for applicants to receive one-on-one assistance.
