Arts, Council on the

Agency Web Site: http://www.arts.ny.gov/

Mission

The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) is an Executive agency with a primary mission of preserving the State's cultural resources and expanding access to the performing and fine arts. NYSCA strives to achieve its mission largely through its core grant-making activity, through which the agency awards grants to approximately 2,400 arts organizations each year.

Organization and Staffing

The Council on the Arts is headed by a Chair and a Vice Chair and consists of 21 members nominated to 5-year terms by the Governor with confirmation by the Senate. The Council’s staff, located in New York City, has expertise in the major artistic disciplines (including dance, theater and music) and provides advisory services and financial assistance to New York’s arts community.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2022 Executive Budget recommends $46.9 million in total funding for NYSCA, reflecting a continuation of level support for NYSCA's core competitive grant-making activity and operations and the elimination of one-time targeted grants.

In FY 2022, NYSCA will help support a public-private partnership to bring back the arts that will organize pop-up performances and arts events across the state. The partnership will be funded with philanthropic and State contributions. New York State will provide staffing support, marketing, and access to world-class open-air spacious venues. The State will also partner with The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to launch a Creatives Rebuild initiative. Developed in partnership with the Reimagine New York Commission, and funded with philanthropic dollars, this initiative will put back to work 1,000 artists and, in addition, it will invest in dozens of small arts organizations that make our towns and cities so dynamic.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Education and Arts (PDF)

Program Highlights

Approximately 90 percent of NYSCA's total funding supports grants to not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations. The remainder is used for the administration of the agency's grant program and the statewide promotion and development of artistic and cultural programs. NYSCA annually awards approximately 2,400 arts grants, largely used to subsidize operating costs of not-for-profit arts organizations, including but not limited to: symphony orchestras, museums, dance companies and theatres. Arts grants generally range from $2,500 to $135,000 based on the size and scope of the project.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/19/2021