Artist in Community Grant (AICG)

The Artist in Community Grant is administered by the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) of Tompkins County and is part of the Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program funded by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). This initiative is supported by the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The goal of the program is to provide funding to full-time resident practicing artists in Tompkins County, New York, to facilitate immersive or interactive projects with a pre-selected local community. The grant emphasizes community engagement and seeks to highlight the role of artists as integral contributors to cultural and civic life in the region. Eligible applicants must be practicing artists who have resided full-time in Tompkins County for at least eight months since January 1, 2025, and who intend to remain residents through the end of 2026. Applicants must be at least 18 years old as of January 1, 2026, and must not be enrolled in any graduate or undergraduate program during the calendar year. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, may be requested. The artistic discipline must align with NYSCA’s definition of arts programming, including but not limited to visual arts, theater, music, dance, literature, media arts, and film. Projects that are primarily educational, therapeutic, religious, scientific, or recreational in nature are not eligible for funding. The grant supports a range of project-related expenses including artist fees, event space rental, materials and supplies (up to $1,000), food (up to $200), mileage (up to $75), printing, and publicity. It does not cover capital improvements, permanent equipment purchases, fundraising activities, awards, cash prizes, administrative overhead unrelated to the project, or events targeting audiences outside of Tompkins County. Importantly, projects must have a defined community engagement component and go beyond traditional audience-performer dynamics. Artists are encouraged to work with community partners such as local nonprofits or organizations and are required to define their target community within the application. Projects that aim to serve rural, under-resourced, or culturally diverse populations within the county are prioritized. Applications must be submitted online via the CommonGrantApplication.com platform. Applicants are required to watch a five-minute instructional video before beginning the submission. The completed budget form, available as an Excel file on the CAP website, must be uploaded as part of the application. Additional required materials include work samples—via URL or shared digital folder—and narrative sections that detail the artist’s background, project goals, timeline, and anticipated community impact. The grant also asks for context surrounding the work samples and any previous community-based art projects the applicant has undertaken. Submissions are due by 9:00 PM ET on Friday, February 6, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by a diverse panel of artists, educators, and community leaders who evaluate each proposal based on artistic merit, alignment with grant guidelines, feasibility, community benefit, and the quality of planning. Final decisions will be communicated by mid-March 2026, and all projects must occur between January 1, 2026, and January 31, 2027. Awards are expected to be disbursed promptly upon receipt of the signed grant contract, though delays are possible depending on the timing of disbursements from the State of New York. For assistance or to review a draft proposal, applicants are encouraged to contact Robin Schwartz, the Program & Grant Director, via email at [email protected]. CAP offers optional grant-writing workshops and individualized support. Drafts can be submitted for review up until the application deadline. Artists needing accommodations throughout the application process are also encouraged to reach out. Projects previously funded by this grant that did not meet reporting or attribution requirements are ineligible to apply.

Projects must feature strong community interaction and not just presentation; partner with groups drawing 20+ attendees to improve ratings; early draft review is encouraged.