Membership Structure and Responsibilities
The Council, the governing body of NYSCA, is comprised of up to 21 individuals appointed by the Governor and approved by the State Senate. Council members are appointed to five-year terms. The Governor designates a Chair and up to two Vice Chairs from the Council Members. The Council and its Committees are public bodies and governed by Open Meetings Law. Public Officers Law Art. 7. Council and Committee meetings are open to the public and are webcast. To conduct business, 50% (11 members) of the authorized number of Council members (21) must attend the meeting and vote in support of any business matter before the Council.
The general duties of the Council include:
- Vote on or support initiatives which further the state’s policy to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the arts for the benefit of NYS’s communities, citizens and visitors.
- Vote on nominations of Advisory Panelists (including panels for review of cultural service grants and appeals of grant decisions).
- Vote on funding for cultural services grants which are recommended by Advisory Panels and staff, and by the applicable Council Committee.
- Concur with the recommendations of the Appeals Panel and, in certain cases, recommend funding for applications of an organization whose appeal is upheld by the Appeals Panel.
Council Financials:
Council members shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for all expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
The Establishing Legislation and General Powers and Duties of the NYSCA Council are set forth by the New York State’s Cultural Affairs Law (§ 3.01, §3.03 and §3.05): https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ACA/3.01
Public Meeting minutes and recordings can be found here: https://arts.ny.gov/public-meeting-archives
Please see below for the NYSCA Council Member bios. For a list of Council Members and the Counties in which they reside: https://www.nysca.org/downloads/files/2023-11-01_NYSCA_BOARD.pdf
Upcoming Meetings and Locations:
There are no currently scheduled public meetings.
Agency Contact:
Abby Adler, Chief of Staff
[email protected] | 212-459-8808