New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Partners with New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to Launch New $261,000 Disability Grant Program

Program will distribute $1,000 to New York State artists with disabilities outside of NYC who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) has partnered with New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to administer a $261,000 grant program for New York State artists with disabilities called the NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant Program.

The program will distribute $1,000 in cash grants to cover art-related expenses for New York State visual, media, music, performing, literary, and multidisciplinary artists with a disability who reside outside of New York City’s five boroughs and have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. Applicants will need to be practicing artists who can demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their arts practice and career.

“We are immensely grateful to our longtime partner, NYFA, for their stewardship of the Artists with Disabilities Grant Program,” said Mara Manus, Executive Director of NYSCA. “NYSCA recognizes the profound financial pressures that artists have faced due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. As the creative sector continues to confront a multi-year recovery process, NYSCA looks forward to continuing to support the critical work of artists across our State.”

In order to be eligible, applicants will need to demonstrate that they have participated, created, or maintained their artistic practice and provide documentation from any time over the past four years (2018 to date). They will also need to be current New York State residents outside of New York City’s five boroughs who have maintained a residency for a minimum of 12 months.

The application cycle will open on Tuesday, May 17 and close on Tuesday, June 28, with applicants notified in August 2022. After reviewing for completeness and eligibility, qualifying applicants will be selected for funding via a lottery process.  

“We are grateful to NYSCA for supporting a program that recognizes the sustained impact of COVID-19 on creative communities, particularly those with disabilities,” said Michael Royce, Executive Director of NYFA. “We hope that this grant helps to relieve some of the financial burdens that may be keeping artists from fully returning to their work, and that it offers encouragement for their practice,” he added.

NYFA is committed to supporting artists from every background, and at all stages in their creative careers. Disabled artists with multiple intersecting identities including people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

The NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant Program is made possible through New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor’s Office and the New York State Legislature.

If you need resources, please visit the Emergency Grants page on NYFA’s website. You can find more articles on arts career topics by visiting the Business of Art section of NYFA.org. Sign up for NYFA News and receive artist resources and upcoming events straight to your inbox.