By BigNY.com News Desk
Albany, NY — June 4, 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $161 million in state grant funding will be available in FY2027 for New York State artists, nonprofit arts organizations and cultural institutions, continuing the state’s investment in the creative economy.
The funding will be administered by the New York State Council on the Arts, known as NYSCA. The first round of applications is now open and totals $81 million. A second round of funding, focused on Capital Project grants, will total $80 million and is expected to open in fall 2026.
“Arts and culture are key components of New York’s global influence,” Governor Hochul said. She noted that the cultural sector helps drive tourism, strengthen neighborhoods and engage young learners across the state.
The first round of FY2027 Council on the Arts grants includes support for nonprofit arts and culture organizations, individual artists, affordable rehearsal and studio space, folk arts apprenticeships, performing arts residencies, and regranting programs that help regional arts organizations serve local communities.
What Funding Is Available
The largest first-round opportunity is Support for Organizations, which provides flexible operating and programmatic funding for qualified nonprofit arts and culture groups. Awards range from $10,000 to $49,500.
The Support for Artists program funds creative commissions for individual artists across New York State. Eligible areas include choreography, composition, film, media and new technology, folk and traditional arts, interdisciplinary work, literature, theater commissions and visual arts. The award amount is $10,000.
NYSCA will also offer targeted opportunities for rehearsal and studio space, folk and traditional arts apprenticeships, and performing arts residencies. Rehearsal and studio space grants are designed to support creative rehearsal time and organizations that provide affordable space for nonprofit arts groups and artists, with awards from $15,000 to $35,000.
Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships will provide $10,000 awards for experienced folk artists to study with master artists from their own communities. Performing Arts Residencies will support New York-based performing arts groups working for at least three consecutive weeks in targeted areas outside their home county and outside New York City, with awards ranging from $15,000 to $35,000.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the first round is July 8, 2026, at 5 p.m. All applicants must complete prequalification through the Statewide Financial System before applying through the NYSCA application portal. NYSCA is urging applicants to begin that process as soon as possible.
Prerecorded opportunity webinars will be available on the NYSCA website beginning Friday, June 5, 2026, and virtual office hours will be held throughout June.
New York’s Creative Economy
NYSCA Executive Director Erika Mallin said the grant opportunities are intended to help artists and organizations “innovate and inspire the next generation,” while encouraging New York’s creative sector to apply. NYSCA Chair Patrick Willingham said artists and nonprofits help make New York “the world capital of creativity.”
State Senator José M. Serrano said the arts and culture sector enriches neighborhoods, strengthens the economy and supports community wellbeing. Assemblymember Ron Kim also encouraged artists and cultural organizations across the state to apply for the funding.
The New York State Council on the Arts was created in 1960 under Governor Nelson Rockefeller and operates as an agency within the Executive Branch. For FY2027, NYSCA will award $161 million to support organizations and artists across all 10 regions of New York State.
For artists, cultural nonprofits, museums, theaters, community organizations and creative groups across New York, this funding represents one of the state’s most important annual opportunities to secure public support for programming, operations, creative work and long-term cultural infrastructure.
Official Source
Governor Hochul official announcement:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-161-million-available-new-york-state-artists-arts-and-culture