The CNY Arts' 2025 Grants for Regional Arts and Culture Engagement Program is designed to bolster the capabilities of individual artists and small nonprofit organizations in developing high-quality arts projects and programming. The overarching mission of this grant is to broaden access to and support for the arts among the geographically, economically, and ethnically diverse populations within CNY Arts’ six-county service area, which includes Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego counties in New York State. The program aims to foster a vibrant cultural landscape by investing in local artistic talent and community-focused initiatives.
Target beneficiaries for this program include both individual artists and small nonprofit organizations residing or located within the specified six-county region. The program's impact goals are centered on creating access and support for arts, culture, history, and heritage, ensuring that diverse segments of the community can engage with and benefit from artistic endeavors. A total of $251,000 will be distributed in 2025 to achieve these goals, supporting a wide array of projects that enrich the cultural fabric of the region.
The program prioritizes several types of projects for both organizations and individual artists. For organizations, these include Community Arts Projects (CAP), Arts Education Projects (AEP), Micro Grant Funds, and Capacity-Building Projects. Individual artists can apply for Artist Commissions (AC), Community Arts Projects (CAP), Arts Education Projects (AEP), and Micro Grant Funds. A key focus for individual artist grants is a "live and work" investment, requiring projects to take place in the artist's county of residence and typically include a community engagement component open to the public. Eligibility also mandates public access for most projects, and applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local government agencies, Tribal Nations, or individual artists/unincorporated entities.
Expected outcomes include an increase in quality arts projects and programming available to the public, enhanced capacity for small nonprofit organizations, and the creation of new artistic works by local artists. Measurable results will likely be tied to the number and type of projects funded, the reach and engagement of those projects within the diverse service area, and the sustained development of artists and organizations. For Arts Education Projects, a minimum of three contact sessions between teaching artists and core learning groups is a specific measurable requirement. The grant duration for funded projects is one year, from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, allowing for a defined period of implementation and impact assessment. The total amount distributed and the number of grants awarded will also serve as key metrics.
