New York State Council on the Arts


The New York State Council on the Arts serves to foster and advance the arts, culture, and creativity throughout New York State, according to its website. The goal of the council is to allow all New Yorkers to benefit from the contributions the arts give to the state of New York through its communities, education, economic growth, and daily life. Its funding encompasses various artistic fields, such as literary, visual, media, performing arts, specifically focusing on art education and the underserved communities.
The NYSCA prioritizes diverse communities, providing inclusive and fair participation in the arts for people of all ages and backgrounds, opportunities for those who want to experience the arts and cultural offerings, the impacts of arts and culture on all aspects of life, the transformation of art and its creative practices, and creativity as an asset.
It was established in 1960 through a bill introduced in the New York State Legislature by New York State Senator MacNeil Mitchell, with backing from Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and began its work in 1961. It awards more than 1,600 grants annually to arts, culture, and heritage non-profits and artists throughout the state. Its headquarters are in Manhattan, New York City.

Values

  • The diversity within New York's communities
  • Equitable participation for people of all ages and backgrounds
  • The ability for everyone to access the arts and culture
  • Valuing the arts and the culture as they play a crucial role in the economy and health of the people
  • The progression and growth of the arts and creativity.
  • Treating creativity as a shared, beneficial asset within the community

    Budget system

The New York State's annual budget accounts for NYSCA's funding, and operates on a fiscal year of April - March. In the fiscal year of 2023 was a total of $222.50 million in funding, with $90 million grants towards organizations and artists. These grants cover general operating costs for creative projects, performances, activities, programs, and artist's individual work. The remaining amount, $132.5 million, is funded towards capital projects for long-term assets such as physical infrastructures that involve supporting and sustaining related organizations and programs. In FY2025, a total of $162 million in grants were awarded, with $82 million towards organizations and artists, and $80 million towards capital project funds.
NameOccupationCounty
Monica AngleArtist, EducatorErie
Lisa BakerArt Director, Curator, Non-Profit FounderWestchester/Fairfield
Lawrence H. Cook IISenior Vice President of Programs, John R. Oishei FoundationErie
Carolee FinkPrincipal, MSquaredNew York
Aaron FlaggMusician. Chair and Associate Director of Juilliard Jazz StudiesWestchester
Janet KaganTheater ProducerNew York
Joan HornigDesigner & entrepreneurNew York
Eric LatzkyFounder, Eric Latzky Culture Communications NYNew York
James LemonsExecutive Director, Lake Placid Center for the ArtsEssex
Laudelina MartinezGallery owner, Consultant, ProfessorRensselaer
David Alan MillerConductor, Albany Symphony Orchestra.Albany
Mahnaz MoinianAcademicNew York
Katherine NichollsPublishing CEO, NYSCA Council ChairpersonNassau
Catherine SchwoeffermannExecutive Director, Hoyt FoundationBroome
Elsie McCabe ThompsonPresident, New York City Mission SocietyNew York
Adriana TrigianiAuthor, Screenwriter, FilmmakerNew York

NYSCA Guidelines for Grant Opportunities

Small scale and midsized grants

These grants fund organizations of any size, with up to $2 million in funding. These fundings are used towards structural and historical improvements, cultural development, health and safety, sustainability, accessibility, and artistry.
Guideline and Application Manual: https://nysca.org/downloads/files/FY2025_NYSCA_CapSmallMidGuidelines.pdf

Large scale grants

These grants ranging from $2–10 million for projects that cost a total of $4 million or more, support large-scale capital improvements. Large scale fundings are used to expand cultural programming, increase accessibility, economic development, equity, and diversity.
Guideline and Application Manual: https://nysca.org/downloads/files/FY2025_NYSCA_CapLargeGuidelines.pdf

Staff

Executive Staff
  • Executive Director: Erika Mallin
  • Deputy Director of Operations: Karen Welch, 459-8812
  • Deputy Director of Programs: Megan White, 459-8806
Staff
  • Chief of Staff: Abby Adler, 459-8808
  • Program Officer | Arts Education | Multidisciplinary: Kavie Barnes, 459-8858
  • Program Director | Individual Artists | Multidisciplinary: Arian Blanco, 459-8815
  • Director of Agency Operations/HR Liaison: Brenda K. Brown, 459-8827
  • Operations Team Associate: Ian Byrne, 459-8821
  • Program Team Associate: Kimalea Campbell, -459-8832
  • Program Officer | Individual Artists | Theatre: Orin Chait, 459-8835
  • Program Director | Electronic Media & Film | Folk Arts: Fabiana Chiu-Rinaldi, 459-8828
  • Director of Grants Management and Information Technology: Lenn Savoca Ditman, 459-8810
  • Operations Team Associate: Omar Estrada, 459-8852
  • Operations Team Associate: Marnee Geller, 459-8819
  • Program Director | Architecture + Design | Museum: Kristin Herron, 459-8825
  • Program Director | Theatre and Visual Arts: David Huff, 459-8831
  • Program Director | Arts Education | Literature: Christine Leahy, 459-8818
  • Program Associate, Grants Management & Compliance: Claudine Lee, 459-8829
  • Auditor: Totlyn Lewis, 459-8822
  • Program Officer | Dance | Theatre: Deborah Lim, 459-8820
  • Director of Financial and Grant Systems: William McDermott, 459-8855
  • Program Director | Music and Presenting: Zatara McIntyre, 459-8826
  • Operations Team Associate: Gabi Nail, 459-8811
  • Facilities Manager: Jerry Pecchia, 459-8814
  • Program Officer | Music | Visual Arts: Rita Putnam, 459-8830
  • Communications Director: Ann Marie Sekeres, 459-8859
  • Program Director | Capital Projects: Katie Steger, 459-8851
  • Program Director | Dance | State & Local Partnership: Leanne Tintori, 459-8816
  • Program Officer | Capital Projects: Lindsay Turley, 459-8854

    NYSCA Community Regrant Partners

Source:
NYSCA's local grant making organization, Statewide Community Regrant Partners, is a partnership between the state council and regional arts councils and organizations. The partnership enables funding through all 10 regions across New York, to provide support through various art sectors.
Statewide Community Regrant PartnersCountyWebsite
Adirondack Lakes Center for ArtsClinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamiltonhttp://www.adirondackarts.org/
Arts Council for Wyoming CountyAlleghany and Wyominghttp://artswyco.org/
Arts Council of the Southern Finger LakesCattaraugus, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tiogahttp://www.earts.org/
Arts Mid-HudsonDutchess, Ulster and Orangehttp://artsmidhudson.org/
Bronx Council on the ArtsBronxhttp://www.bronxarts.org/
Brooklyn Arts CouncilKingshttp://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/
Community Arts PartnershipTompkinshttp://www.artspartner.org/
Delaware Valley Arts AllianceSullivanhttp://delawarevalleyartsalliance.org/
Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts CouncilGenesee and Orleanshttps://www.goart.org/
CREATEColumbia, Greene, and Schohariehttp://www.greenearts.org/
Huntington Arts CouncilNassau and Suffolkhttp://www.huntingtonarts.org/
Genesee Valley Council on the ArtsServes Livingston and Monroe Counties
Lower Adirondack Regional Arts CouncilWarren and Washingtonhttp://www.larac.org/
Lower Manhattan Cultural CouncilNew Yorkhttp://lmcc.net/
Putnam Arts CouncilPutnamhttp://putnamartscouncil.com/
Flushing Town HallQueenshttps://www.flushingtownhall.org/
Roxbury Arts GroupDelawarehttp://roxburyartsgroup.org/
Saratoga County Arts CouncilSaratoga, Fulton, and Montgomeryhttp://www.saratoga-arts.org/
St. Lawrence County Arts CouncilJefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrencehttp://slcartscouncil.org/grants/
Council on the Arts for Staten IslandRichmondhttps://statenislandarts.org

Regrant partners

The list below are grantees that NYSCA partners with to administer funding in the form of regrants. These fundings aid artists, media art practitioners, theatres, museums, organizations, historic sites, historic preservation, and the development and creation of the arts.
GranteesWebsite
NYSCA/American Dance Asylum: NYS Choreographers Initiativehttps://www.americandanceasylum.org/new-york-state-choreographer-s-initiative.html
NYSCA/Arts Council for Wyoming County: Rural & Traditional Arts Fellowshipshttps://artswyco.org/rural-and-traditional-arts-fellowship.html
NYSCA/Architectural League of NY: Independent Projects Grantshttps://archleague.org/competition/independent-projects-2022/
NYSCA/A.R.T. NY: Creative Opportunity Fundhttps://www.art-newyork.org/2023-creative-opportunity-fund
NYSCA/CLMP: NYSCA NYTAP Regrant Programhttps://www.clmp.org/programs-opportunities/nytap/
NYSCA/CNY Arts: Museums Professional Development Granthttps://cnyarts.org/grants/nysca-museums-professional-development/
NYSCA/GHHN: Conservation Treatmenthttps://www.greaterhudson.org/conservation-treatment-grant.html
NYSCA/Just Buffalo: LitNYS Literary Advancement Regrantshttp://www.littap.org/
NYSCA/New York Council on Nonprofits https://www.nycon.org/
NYSCA/NY Folklore: Professional Developmenthttps://nyfolklore.org/services/mentoring/
NYSCA/NYFA: Artist Fellowshiphttps://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/artist-fellowships/
NYSCA/NYFA: Professional Development Partnership Programhttps://www.nyfa.org/professional-development/
NYSCA/NYS DanceForce https://www.danceforce.org/
NYSCA/Poets & Writers: Readings & Workshopshttps://www.pw.org/funding/funding_readingsworkshops
NYSCA/Preservation League of NYS: Preserve New Yorkhttps://www.preservenys.org/preserve-new-york
NYSCA/Preservation League of NYS: Technical Assistance Grantshttps://www.preservenys.org/technical-assistance-grants
NYSCA/Wave Farm: Arts in Corrections NYShttps://wavefarm.org/grants-services/nysca-regrants
NYSCA/Wave Farm: Media Arts Assistance Fund https://wavefarm.org/grants-services/nysca-regrants