Governor Hochul Announces Unprecedented $150 Million in Capital Funding Opportunities to Open for Arts and Culture Organizations

 Includes Additional $100 Million in New Funding for Large Capital Projects

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a record $150 million in capital funding will be available for arts and culture organizations through the New York State Council on the Arts' Capital Projects Fund. The Fund has two grant categories: Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants and Large Capital Improvement Grants. This unprecedented investment includes $100 million in new, multi-year funding to facilitate large-scale capital projects that prioritize community development and placemaking. It is the State's largest ever commitment to NYSCA for capital projects for the arts, following on already record-level funding for the arts in the FY 2023 Budget. Governor Hochul will further discuss her commitment to supporting the arts at the Carnegie Hall 2022-2023 Season Opening later this evening.

"New York's arts and cultural organizations strengthen our economic well-being, nourish our diversity and identity, and support our communities," Governor Hochul said. "This record State funding to NYSCA will allow a wide range of organizations to undertake much needed improvement projects, so they can continue to provide New Yorkers with enriching cultural experiences and further their role as economic and community anchors."

NYSCA's Capital Projects Fund will focus on supporting cultural institutions seeking State funding for investments in capital improvements that allow organizations to sustain and expand cultural programming for diverse audiences, promote accessibility and environmental sustainability, preserve and create jobs, and ultimately contribute to the growth of New York's arts and tourism sectors.

The two opportunities are:

• Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture: This opportunity funds projects of any size, with grants of up to $2 million that prioritize accessibility, artistry, cultural development, sustainability, health and safety, and structural and historical improvements. Strong projects combine excellence in design with informed decisions about organizational capacity and community needs that will positively affect the future of arts and cultural organizations across New York.
• Large Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture: This multiyear opportunity will support arts and cultural institutions across the state that are undertaking impactful, large-scale capital improvements. Grants will range from $2 million to $10 million for projects that have a total cost of $4 million or more. This funding will support investments to allow organizations to thrive by expanding cultural programming, reaching new and diverse audiences, and promoting accessibility. These grants will also help advance the State's goals around diversity, equity and inclusion and will require all applicants to commit to social equity initiatives and access plans that serve all New Yorkers.

The application portal for these opportunities will open on Friday, Sept 30, 2022 and can be accessed on NYSCA's website, arts.ny.gov. All eligible New York State nonprofit arts and culture organizations are encouraged to apply for NYSCA's Capital Projects Fund. NYSCA will also conduct webinars about the application process and host multiple virtual office sessions for applicants to receive one-on-one assistance before the January 12, 2023 deadline.

Since 2018, NYSCA has awarded 204 capital grants, totaling $50 million, across all 10 state regions through the support of the Governor and Legislature. These projects increase employment capacity and advance cultural venues as tourism destinations, strengthening New York's hospitality, food and beverage, and retail sectors.

In addition to the Capital Projects Fund, NYSCA will award $90 million in non-capital grants to arts organizations and artists. These grant recipients will be announced by the end of the calendar year.

New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Mara Manus said, "New York's powerful creative economy is a crucial driver in our state's recovery as a global cultural leader. We are immensely grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature's unprecedented $150 million in FY2023 capital funding for NYSCA, recognizing the critical role these projects play in our economy, our local ecologies, and the health  of all New Yorkers."