Grants for Arts Programs (GAP)

The 2026 Grants for Arts Programs (GAP) is a funding opportunity administered by the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) of Tompkins County as part of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program. This initiative aims to make exemplary public arts programming accessible throughout Tompkins County, serving geographically, ethnically, and racially diverse communities. The GAP grant supports projects that contribute meaningfully to the cultural and artistic life of the region by funding public-facing arts events and performances. These may include theater, music, dance, visual art exhibitions, literary readings, and locally produced film screenings. Eligible applicants include Tompkins County-based not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, municipalities, and Tribal Nations, as well as individual artists or unincorporated groups who secure a qualified local fiscal sponsor. All applicants must maintain a Tompkins County mailing address, serve local communities, and ensure their events are open and accessible to the general public. Events must occur within Tompkins County and be geared primarily to residents, not out-of-county audiences or exclusive membership groups. Projects must take place between January 1, 2026, and January 31, 2027, with award notifications expected in March 2026. GAP funding supports project-specific expenses such as artist fees (excluding creation or developmental stages), promotional costs, venue rentals, technical staffing, and materials used during the event. Up to $5,000 may be requested per application, and not-for-profits may submit up to three unrelated applications across the GAP and Arts Education grant programs, provided their combined request total does not exceed $7,500. Projects must demonstrate strong artistic quality and community benefit, particularly those serving underrepresented audiences and promoting cultural inclusivity. Venues should be ADA compliant, and accessibility considerations are prioritized during panel review. Applications are submitted through the CommonGrantApplication.com portal. A detailed budget form in .xlsx format must accompany submissions, and applicants are encouraged to review an instructional video and PDF before applying. The CAP team, led by Robin Schwartz, offers grant writing workshops and one-on-one support to help applicants prepare competitive proposals. Draft reviews are encouraged and may be submitted up to the day of the deadline. The submission deadline for funding in the 2026 cycle is February 4, 2026, at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. Evaluation is conducted by a diverse panel of local professionals who consider artistic merit, community engagement, promotional reach, project feasibility, and alignment with GAP priorities. Applicants will be notified of outcomes in March. Grant payments are contingent on timely submission of award contracts and, depending on CAP’s receipt of NYSCA funding, may be delayed. CAP commits to working flexibly with grantees in the event of delayed state disbursements. This funding opportunity is not open to applicants who are already receiving direct NYSCA support or who applied to NYSCA for 2026 funding. Ineligible applicants also include public universities, secondary schools, CAP staff and board members, and full-time students. Events that are not open or accessible to the general public, or that serve primarily recreational, educational, religious, or therapeutic purposes, are not eligible for funding. Workshops with limited capacity or inaccessible event locations are also excluded. All funded activities must meet GAP’s core requirement of enhancing the cultural landscape of Tompkins County through public engagement in the arts.

Use ADA-accessible venues; clearly show local community impact; highlight inclusive programming.