UMEZ Arts Engagement Grant Program

The UMEZ Arts Engagement grant, administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) and funded by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ), is designed to support artists and arts organizations located in Upper Manhattan. The goal of this program is to promote increased frequency and diversity in cultural presentations that take place in the region. Upper Manhattan has a significant concentration of culturally specific and community-based arts groups, and this funding opportunity seeks to expand the reach of these artistic practices while fostering greater public engagement. This grant program supports individual artists, collectives, unincorporated arts groups, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Upper Manhattan. It is intended for those implementing arts programming between January 1 and December 31, 2026, that is accessible to the general public. The supported disciplines span performing, literary, media, and visual arts—from traditional and folk forms to contemporary and socially-engaged practices. The geographic boundaries defining Upper Manhattan for the purposes of this grant are north of 98th Street on the east side of Fifth Avenue and north of 110th Street on the west side. All in-person activities must occur within this area, or in the case of virtual events, must specifically serve Upper Manhattan audiences. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with annual operating budgets under $750,000 and a history of at least two years of public arts programming in the last five years, as well as individual artists and lead artists of collectives who reside in Upper Manhattan and meet similar criteria. Artists must also be fiscally sponsored either through LMCC or another qualifying New York City-based nonprofit. LMCC offers fiscal sponsorship free of charge for UMEZ applicants, provided they meet all eligibility requirements. Applicants may apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. The funding must support project costs including but not limited to artist fees, production expenses, and outreach. Projects must guarantee payment to participating artists. However, UMEZ Arts Engagement does not support education projects, religious programming, schools or universities, youth/senior-focused participatory programs, or events not open to the general public. Additionally, applicants who received three consecutive years of funding from UMEZ (2023–2025) are required to take one year off before reapplying. The application deadline is September 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. Prior to submission, first-time applicants must attend a live information session or view a recorded version. The jury review period will occur in January 2026, with applicant notifications expected in March. Funding contracts will be issued in April, and disbursement will take place between May and June 2026. The final funded projects must be completed within the 2026 calendar year. Applications require detailed project plans, work samples, proof of residency or nonprofit registration in Upper Manhattan, and other supporting materials depending on applicant type. The primary contact for this grant is Laura Lizcano, Program Associate for Artist Services. She can be reached via email at UMAE@LMCC.net or by phone at 212-219-3071. Applicants requiring assistance with internet access or completing the online application are encouraged to contact LMCC in advance of the deadline. Additional language assistance is also available in Spanish and Chinese.

First-time applicants must attend or watch an info session. Avoid promotional or edited videos in work samples. Address all four evaluation criteria clearly.