Meet the First State of the Arts Fellows: The New York State Council on the Arts Announces the Three Artists to Collaborate with State Agencies
Governor’s Initiative Places Artists to Work Alongside State Agencies for Creative Problem Solving
The New York State Council on the Arts has announced the three inaugural fellows for the State of the Arts Fellowship Program. A new initiative from Governor Kathy Hochul, the State of the Arts Fellowship Program embeds NYS artists into state agencies to collaborate and develop creative solutions to specific agency challenges.
Read the full press release here! NYSCA_Artist_Fellowship_Announcement.pdf
The inaugural placements are:
- Polymedia artist Eto Otitigbe (Brooklyn) will work alongside the Office of General Services (OGS) to revitalize Empire State Plaza in Albany with creative, community focused programming. Learn more about Eto Otitigbe here!
- Cara Hanley (Albany), a community-based artist and licensed social worker, will partner with the Office of Mental Health (OMH) to destigmatize mental health issues and promote access to OMH services. Learn more about Cara Hanley here!
- Interdisciplinary artist sTo Len (Glendale) and the Office of Victim Services (OVS) will increase awareness among underserved populations of the Fair Access to Victim Compensation Act. Learn more about sTo Len here!
Follow NYSCA social media for updates on the artists and their projects at NYSCA's Facebook page, on LinkedIn and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts
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THIS OPPORTUNITY IS NOW CLOSED
Announced by Governor Hochul in June 2025, the NYS State of the Arts Fellowship will bring artists and state government together to foster community connection, enhance public spaces, and amplify vital public service initiatives.
PLEASE NOTE: This opportunity is separate from the NYSCA FY2026 Support for Artists opportunity. For more information on any FY2026 grant opportunities, please click here: https://arts.ny.gov/FY2026OpportunityGuidelines
State of the Arts Fellowship Guidelines: StateoftheArtsGuidelines.pdf
State of the Arts Fellowship Application: Apply Here
For questions about the State of the Arts Fellowships, contact: [email protected]
NYSCA 2025 State of the Arts Fellowship Webinar
Click here to view State of the Arts Fellowship webinar slides
Program Overview:
NYSCA will place one (1) artist fellow at each of three (3) host agencies to address important solve-for questions at the core each agency’s public service mission:
- Office of Victim Services (OVS): working with underserved populations to reduce barriers to accessing services under the Fair Access to Victim Compensation Act. (Brooklyn or Albany)
- Office of General Services (OGS): revitalizing the Empire State Plaza through creative, community focused programming. (Albany)
- Office of Mental Health (OMH): destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting access to OMH services. (Locations TBD, Upstate New York area and at least one facility in the NYC area)
Through a collaborative process, fellows will work closely with state agencies to address pressing issues and implement projects that leave a lasting impact on communities across New York. Fellows will be chosen by the host agency and NYSCA. Award amount per artist fellow is $60,000, inclusive of all project expenses.
Artists from all disciplines are invited to apply for this unique opportunity.
Timeline:
- Application Opens: Thursday June 5th, 2025.
- Application Deadline: EXTENDED Thursday, July 10, 2025, 5:00pm. Applications are submitted online.
- Application Review/Artist Finalist Interviews: Through December 2025. Interviews will be conducted virtually; selected artists will be notified shortly thereafter.
- Fellowship Start Date: January 2026
- Research Phase: January 2026-June 2027
- Implementation Phase: July 2026-End January 2027
- End Date: February 1, 2027
For questions about the State of the Arts Fellowships, contact: [email protected]