Decentralization Program
At the core of our mission to create vibrant arts communities statewide is our Decentralization (DEC) program. DEC initiates funding partnerships with regional arts councils and cultural organizations, enabling us to reach all 62 state counties. The local grant making organizations providing support in a wide range of arts disciplines are referred to as Decentralization (DEC) sites. Please refer to the list below to find the site serving your area.
DEC sites award funds through a formal application process and review proposals using a local peer panel process. DEC grants range up to a maximum of $5,000, though awards are typically in the range of $1,000 to $2,500. Application deadlines are set by each DEC site, so check your local site for details.
Organizations may not apply for NYSCA support and for DEC support in the same year.
Serves Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton Counties
Serves Albany, Renssalaer, and Schenectady Counties
Serves Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tioga Counties
Serves Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates Counties
Serves Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties
Serves Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties
Serves Columbia, Greene, and Schoharie Counties
Serves Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties
Serves Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties
Regrants
To provide more opportunities for artists and arts organizations, NYSCA partners with select grantees to administer NYSCA funding in the form of regrants. These grants serve individual artists, media arts practitioners, small theatres, museum collections, literary organizations, historic sites and museums and represent a variety of goals, including professional development, historic preservation, and the creation of new work.
First launched in 1985, the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship has provided more than $30 million in unrestricted cash grants to artists in 15 disciplines at critical stages in their creative development. Funds are unrestricted, and can be used in any manner the artists deem necessary to further their careers.
The extensive list of past awardees includes the winners of five Academy Awards, five Tony Awards, eight Pulitzer Prizes, two National Book Awards, and 15 MacArthur ''Genius'' Fellowships.
In partnership with Wave Farm, supports the distribution and exhibition of works in all genres of time-based and moving image media, organizational and professional development, and convening and conference attendance.
Supports organizational growth or the development of new work for theatres with budgets of $500,000 or less, and organizations that have limited administrative capacity
Supports collections consultations and the purchase of supplies recommended by consultants
Supports the conservation needs related to artifacts typically found in art and history museums and historical societies throughout New York State
Supports program development and capacity building opportunities for nonprofit literary publishers, presenters and service organizations
Supports museum staff opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, conduct research or view exemplary museums within New York State
Organizations that sponsor readings and workshops in New York State may apply for grants to be used for writers' fees.
Support short-term projects that advance the preservation of historic sites, museums, arts facilities including opera houses and theaters, and other culturally important institutions that are located in historic buildings and structures that are open to the public
Supports grants for historic structure reports, building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys.