Bronx Cultural Visions Fund

The Bronx Cultural Visions Fund (BCVF) is administered by the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) and supported by the Howard Gilman Foundation. The program is designed to strengthen the live performing arts scene in The Bronx by funding the development of new concepts and the production of new works. Eligible disciplines include theater, music, dance, performance art, and multidisciplinary forms. The fund prioritizes projects from Bronx-based emerging and mid-career artists, collectives, and nonprofit performing arts organizations with annual budgets of $250,000 or less. The goal is to make significant investments that meaningfully impact the careers of individual artists and the growth of organizations, while building long-term relationships with grantees. Two types of grants are available. The Concept Development Grant provides up to $10,000 for developing live performance ideas or projects in their earliest stages, open to playwrights, directors, choreographers, performers, collectives, and small organizations. The Production Grant offers up to $20,000 for realizing a new live performance project. Productions do not have to take place in The Bronx but must be performed within New York City. Each grant cycle awards at least five Concept Development and five Production Grants. All grantees may also receive up to $2,500 in professional development support for activities such as skill-building, consultancies, classes, or purchasing critical equipment or software. Applicants must be based in The Bronx, either as individuals, collectives, or organizations. Individuals must be emerging or mid-career performing arts practitioners aged 18 or older, with proof of Bronx residency. Organizations must have been incorporated as nonprofits for at least one year, have an annual budget of $250,000 or less, and be based in The Bronx. Curators, festival organizers, and presenters are not eligible. Proof of eligibility includes official documents such as a NYS driver’s license, NYC ID, voter registration, rent agreement, or for organizations, IRS or NYS incorporation documentation. The application process has two stages: an initial Letter of Intent (LOI) and, if invited, a full proposal. LOIs may be submitted in written format (maximum 500 words) or as a video (maximum 3 minutes). Applicants must provide biographical information, a description of the concept or production plan, a general timeline and goals, and an explanation of the expected impact of the grant. Work samples are required, and applicants must submit proof of eligibility documents. Applications are submitted via Submittable, with the link available on the BCA website. The 2026 cycle LOI submission period runs from July 11 to September 5, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals between October 7 and October 28, 2025. Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of 3–5 performing arts professionals based in New York City, using evaluation criteria that consider cultural heritage stewardship, innovation, technical expertise, realistic planning, and whether the project represents a new direction or growth for the applicant. Awards will be announced in January 2026, and funded projects will begin that same month. Applicants are encouraged to attend BCVF information sessions held in July and August. BCA staff offer support throughout the process, including answering questions about eligibility and reviewing draft proposals if submitted by August 26, 2025. Contact for inquiries is bcvf@bronxarts.org or (718) 931-9500. Additional details, including full guidelines and instructions, are available in the BCVF guidelines document and on the BCA website.

Submit LOI in written or video format; request draft review before Aug 26, 2025; keep video under 3 min; written LOI under 500 words; submit clear work samples