Preserve NY Arts + Culture: Support for Pre-Construction Studies

Preserve New York Arts + Culture: Support for Pre-Construction Studies is a grant initiative designed to assist nonprofit arts and cultural organizations across New York State in planning for the rehabilitation and maintenance of their historic properties. This program results from a regrant partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League of New York State. Funding is made possible through support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, with added backing from the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area for applicable projects within the Hudson River Valley Greenway. The program consolidates and expands upon the objectives of two former funding streams: Preserve New York (PNY) and Technical Assistance Grants (TAG). The goal of the program is to bolster arts and cultural organizations by facilitating the preliminary planning necessary to sustain historic facilities and ensure they remain safe, accessible, and functional for ongoing public-facing programming. Rather than funding construction or repair work directly, the grant specifically supports consulting services for pre-construction studies. These studies provide critical insights and guidance in anticipation of capital projects or maintenance needs, offering arts organizations a strategic foundation upon which to base future work and fundraising. All study types previously supported under the legacy PNY and TAG programs are eligible, including both discrete analyses and comprehensive planning reports. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and cultural organizations based in New York State. The building or site that is the focus of the proposed study must be at least 50 years old and used primarily for arts or cultural purposes. Ownership by a nonprofit or municipal entity is required, though applicants may also qualify with a valid long-term lease or stewardship agreement if they are not the property owner. Ineligible entities include NYS-owned properties and affiliates, privately owned sites, organizations without cultural missions, and libraries, schools, fraternal organizations, or cemetery associations. Additionally, applicants with incomplete or open Preservation League grants are not eligible. Two grant tiers are available. “Short Studies for Small Projects” provide up to $10,000 in funding for targeted, limited-scope evaluations such as accessibility studies, structural analyses, or energy audits. “Comprehensive Studies for Capital Projects” offer up to $20,000 for more extensive building or site evaluations that support major rehabilitation or preservation efforts. All grants require a 10% cash match from the applicant. In-kind contributions are not eligible for match purposes. Consultant costs, including travel, photography, and report production, are eligible expenses, but staff time and overhead are not. The application process is conducted entirely online and begins with a required pre-application. This must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026. Upon review, eligible applicants will be invited to submit a final application by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026. Award notifications are expected approximately 12 weeks after the deadline. Selected grantees will be required to execute a grant contract and consultant agreement before receiving funds. Projects must be completed within one year, with the final report submitted electronically to the Preservation League to close the grant. Priority consideration is given to projects that engage with underrepresented communities, promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, or respond to environmental threats such as those posed by climate change. An informational webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to assist potential applicants. Reports produced under this program must be authored by qualified professionals and include recommendations, visual documentation, and may contain illustrative materials; however, they must not serve as construction documents.

Projects with a strong DEIA focus, energy efficiency, or underrepresented community relevance receive priority.