Creative Engagement is an arts funding program that provides seed grants to individual artists and nonprofit organizations for projects and activities that offer Manhattan communities diverse artistic experiences.
Donor Name: Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
State: New York
Borough: Manhattan
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 09/13/2022
Grant Size: up to $10,000
Grant Duration: 12 months
Details:
The program is comprised of three funds: City funds, provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund, State funds, provided by the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants program, and funds provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation.
Funding is intended for artists and organizations that are not able to apply directly to these agencies for arts funding. Creative Engagement often provides the first grant an applicant receives, which can help leverage additional support. The program is accompanied by technical assistance to applicants, and networking and promotional opportunities for funded projects.
Funding is provided for projects in the performing, literary, media, and visual arts, ranging from folk/traditional forms to contemporary and socially-engaged artistic practices. Supported activities include concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings, and more. Creative Engagement offers the opportunity to access City, State, or both sources of funds by completing a single application.
The program funding is provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund, and the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants.
Funding Information
- Applicants eligible for City funds may request up to $5,000.
- Applicants eligible for State funds may request up to $5,000.
- Applicants eligible for City and State funds may request up to $10,000.
- If awarded, no grants will be made for less than $1,000.
- Through this grant program LMCC will award over $500,000 for projects serving communities from Inwood to the Battery taking place between January 1–December 31, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
Nonprofit Organizations:
Creative Engagement supports nonprofit organizations that meet the following Core Eligibility Requirements:
- Organizations must be based in Manhattan.
- Organizations must have proof of nonprofit status.
- Organizations must have a core artistic mission and/or history of arts programming.
- Applicants may not be directly applying to LMCC’s Creative Engagement program for the same fiscal year.
- Applicants may not be directly applying for DCLA (GNYADF) or NYSCA (Statewide Community Regrants) funds in another county/borough for the same fiscal year.
- First-time applicants and applicants who have not attended a session for Creative Learning in 2019 or later are required to attended an information session webinar before applying
Individual Artists and Collectives:
Creative Engagement supports individual artists, as well as collectives, project-based collaborations, and unincorporated groups that meet the following Core Eligibility Requirements:
- Individual artists must be based in Manhattan.
- Individual artists may not apply or receive funds on behalf of any organization.
- Collectives must designate a lead artist (director, or equivalent), who meets all eligibility requirements for individual artists, to apply as an individual on its behalf. Note: The lead artist must be the primary entity responsible for the application, as well as the grant, if awarded. Guest artists or temporary programming staff will not be considered a lead artist for the application.
- Applicants may not be directly applying to LMCC’s Creative Learning program for the same fiscal year.
- Applicants may not be directly applying for DCLA (GNYADF) or NYSCA (Statewide Community Regrants) funds in another county/borough for the same fiscal year.
- First-time applicants and applicants who have not attended a session for Creative Engagement in 2019 or later are required to attend an information session webinar before applying.
For more information, visit Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
