The Creative Opportunity Fund, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) administered by A.R.T./New York, provides general operating support grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. This initiative is designed for small professional theatres throughout New York State with annual budgets under $500,000. While not explicitly stated as a "foundation mission," the program's alignment with A.R.T./New York's role as a grantmaker and its partnership with NYSCA suggests a shared commitment to fostering the arts and cultural vibrancy within the state.
The primary beneficiaries of this fund are theatre companies and collectives based in New York State, including 501(c)3 organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, and unincorporated artist collectives. For-profit LLCs and Domestic Business Corporations are ineligible. The program specifically targets theatres that have presented public programming for at least two years and have live or virtual performances open to the public in New York State in 2025. A key impact goal is to address historical inequities in funding by increasing opportunities for theatres that have faced barriers due to racial, economic, disability, sexual identity, and/or geographic location.
The fund's priorities and focuses revolve around capacity building and stabilization for small theatres. A significant focus is on ensuring fair compensation for artists, with a requirement that applicants currently and previously pay artists, or commit to allocating at least 50% of any awarded funding to artist compensation. This aligns with a strategic priority to support the sustainability of the theatre ecosystem by empowering artists and ensuring their livelihood. The program also prioritizes outreach to theatres that have been underserved by mainstream funding.
Expected outcomes include strengthened operational capacity for small theatres, increased access to funding for marginalized theatre groups, and improved financial stability within the sector. Measurable results could include the number of theatres receiving grants, the percentage of funding allocated to artist compensation, and anecdotal evidence of enhanced artistic programming and community engagement from grantee organizations. The underlying theory of change is that by providing flexible general operating support and prioritizing equity, the fund can foster a more resilient, diverse, and vibrant theatre landscape across New York State.
