NYSCA Support for Targeted Opportunities Grant 2026

The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), an agency dedicated to advancing the arts and cultural vitality across the state, is offering FY2026 Targeted Opportunities to support artistic expression and access. These opportunities aim to enhance equitable engagement with the arts, encourage community-based creativity, and foster diverse cultural traditions. The initiatives specifically focus on Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, Rehearsal Space for Performing Arts, and Performing Arts Residencies. The Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships provide $10,000 awards to support the teaching and preservation of folk art traditions within communities. This opportunity emphasizes art forms that are not widely practiced and promotes intergenerational transmission between master artists and apprentices. Applications must include a detailed study plan, compensation breakdown, and supporting materials such as visual/audio samples and signed letters of commitment. Artists cannot concurrently apply for NYSCA’s Support for Artists funding in the same year. Rehearsal Space for Performing Arts grants, ranging from $15,000 to $35,000, are available for organizations offering affordable, subsidized rehearsal space to artists. These spaces must be publicly available through an open rental process and must exclude usage by the applicant’s own staff or programs. Applications must detail space characteristics, equipment, accessibility, promotional strategies, and a clear financial plan. Applicants must demonstrate site control and a history of managing rehearsal space programs. Performing Arts Residencies offer similar funding levels and are designed to foster long-term artistic engagement in New York State regions outside of NYC and the applicant's home county. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit performing arts companies with a confirmed host organization and a residency plan of at least three consecutive weeks. Required narrative responses must address creative goals, public service efforts, and detailed managerial and financial plans. Supporting documents include signed agreements, work samples, budgets, and organizational financials. Eligibility for these opportunities varies slightly across categories. Organizations applying for Rehearsal Space or Performing Arts Residencies must be nonprofit corporations, recognized Native American nations, or government units based in New York State, with at least $20,000 in qualifying state-based arts expenses in FY2024. Sponsored applications are only permitted for Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, where fiscal sponsors must be based in New York State and recognized as 501(c)(3) entities or equivalent. Applicants and sponsorees must also be current on final reports for previous NYSCA grants. The application process requires registration and prequalification through the New York State Statewide Financial System (SFS), with a strongly recommended submission of questions at least two weeks prior to the deadline. Applications must be submitted via the NYSCA SmartSimple portal by June 26, 2025, at 5 p.m. Award notifications are expected by December 2025. Applicants must also adhere to extensive submission requirements, including specific supporting materials, financial documentation, and compliance with use-of-funds guidelines. For technical assistance, applicants can contact the SFS Help Desk at helpdesk@sfs.ny.gov or call (855) 233-8363. Program-specific questions should be directed to NYSCA via their contact portal at https://arts.ny.gov/contact. Applicants are encouraged to begin early to ensure completion of all requirements before the deadline.