ACE! connected with Joseph Mastroianni (Vice President of Programming / Statewide Community Regrants Coordinator) of the Arts Center of the Capital Region to find out more about the large pot of money that is being made available to artists and non profits in a two phase round of funding awards. Read on below to find out more about how to submit and qualify.
What is the Statewide Community Regrants program?
The Statewide Community Regrants program is an initiative of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and administered by local arts organizations in New York’s 62 counties.
“The SCR program, fosters the continuing development of arts and cultural resources in response to the needs of local communities in each of New York’s counties. The SCR program invests NYSCA funds to serve all communities and people who comprise New York’s citizens and visitors. SCR sites are a network of non-profit organizations that serve local and regional cultural organizations and artists through three categories of support: Community Arts, Arts Education, and Individual Artists.”
The Arts Center represents Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer Counties in the SCR program. In 2023, thanks to a generous one time increase in funding, we will award $510,000 in two rounds.
How much money is available this round?
In Round One, we will distribute $200,000. In Round Two, we will distribute $300,000. Additionally, $10,000 will be available for rolling mini-grants.
Who is eligible?
The SCR program has four categories: Community Arts, Arts Education, Individual Artists, and Pop Up Mini Grants.
In Community Arts, eligible applicants must be or be in partnership with a 501 ©3 nonprofit organization in Albany, Schenectady, or Rensselaer Counties. This category is for public art and fostering creative communities.
In Arts Education, eligible applicants must be either artists over age 18 and in partnership with a community organization, or community organizations. 501©3 status is not required in this category, but all proposed projects must have an educational component, whether in-school or after school.
In Individual Artists, eligible applicants must be artists 18 years of age or over and reside in Albany, Rensselaer, or Schenectady Counties. Projects should all be original work.
In Pop Up Mini Grants, eligible applicants are artists over age 18 or 501©3 organizations based in Albany, Schenectady, or Rensselaer Counties. Mini Grants are for small-scale projects and do not have to include an educational component.
Artists who work in any or all media are encouraged to apply; there is no priority.
What types of projects are prioritized in the funding?
All projects must have some type of community impact component and there are funding caps for each grant type.
In Community Arts, the maximum award is $5000. In Arts Education and Individual Artist, the cap is $2500. Artists may apply to all three categories if they are eligible; the maximum award any single artist or arts organization will receive is $5000.
How do I learn more about applying?
We have grant seminars and office hours! At our virtual grant seminars, I’ll go over each type of grant available, so bring your creative ideas and ask questions! At the office hours, I’ll be able to answer very individualized questions about your projects and the application process. Remaining grant seminars are December 20, and January 5, all from 4-5 pm. They are free, but you do have to register to get the zoom link.
REGISTER HERE
Office Hours are Thursdays from 3-4 pm, starting January 12. Office hours may be over the phone, google meet, or email. No registration is required.
Anything else we have missed we should know about?
Important dates!
ROUND ONE APPLICATION : Opens January 6 and closes March 1. Panel Review will be April 1, and awards will be announced on May 15. Projects must happen between June 1 and December 31 2023.
ROUND TWO APPLICATION : Opens on April 6 and closes on June 1. Panel Review will be July 6, and awards will be announced August 15. Projects must occur between September 1 and December 31 2023.