The 2025 Arts Alive Grants Program, funded by ArtsWestchester, supports community-based arts initiatives throughout Westchester and Rockland Counties, New York. It aims to increase access to arts programs, particularly for underrepresented communities, and encourages applications from diverse organizations and individual artists. The program has two main grant categories: Community Impact Grants and Individual Artist Grants for New Work. Applications are due by December 17, 2024, with an early submission deadline on December 11, 2024, to allow for feedback and potential revisions.
Community Impact Grants are available for arts organizations, individual artists, and nonprofits to fund public arts projects, such as performances, workshops, or exhibitions, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $7,500. This category also now includes in-school and after-school arts education projects that emphasize active learning and arts integration. Projects must benefit the community, be inclusive, and accessible to all. Individual Artist Grants, on the other hand, support the creation of original work by local professional artists, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. This funding encourages public engagement through presentations or exhibitions.
Eligible applicants must be based in Westchester or Rockland, be nonprofit organizations, or apply through a fiscal sponsor. Individual applicants must reside in the same county as the proposed project. Projects must focus on community benefit, inclusivity, and diversity, with strong preference given to projects serving marginalized or underserved communities.
Applications must include relevant organizational or individual information, proof of nonprofit status (if applicable), resumes of involved artists, work samples from the last three years, and a project budget. Virtual programs are eligible, and work samples, such as images, video, or audio, are encouraged to help reviewers assess artistic quality.
A panel of local artists and community members will review applications based on criteria such as artistic quality, community impact, managerial capacity, and inclusiveness. Award notifications will be sent by April 2025, with the funded projects to occur between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. For questions or technical assistance with the application, ArtsWestchester provides contact information and hosts informational sessions to help applicants.
