Since NYSCA's founding, we have been devoted to supporting arts activities that ensure access for historically underserved communities, including African American/Caribbean, Latinx, Asian, Native American, LGBTQIA and immigrant communities. Special Arts Services (SAS) supports programs that engage the arts to address the changing needs of New York’s most vulnerable populations, including people in geographically remote areas with limited cultural offerings; disabled communities; the aging; impoverished and homeless populations; and court, jail, and prison-involved juveniles and adults.
Both established and emerging organizations can receive support. The program encourages collaborations and innovative projects, either multi-disciplinary or focused on a specific discipline of the performing arts, visual arts or media. SAS also supports professional arts training, promoting advanced study as well as the entry of underserved artists pursuing arts careers.