Manhattan Arts Grants: Creative Learning

The Manhattan Arts Grants: Creative Learning, managed by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, supports local artists and organizations in providing community-based arts education, particularly for older adults. Established in 1983, this program enhances public spaces through artistic engagement and offers crucial funding to those unable to access city or state arts funding directly. With backing from various cultural institutions, it fosters creativity and resilience within Manhattan's diverse communities.

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
Founded as  LMCC serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community.
Since 1983, LMCC’s Manhattan Arts Grants have supported Manhattan-based artists, arts groups and community-focused organizations in accessing public funds for the presentation of rich arts activities with the public. These projects have been integral to the cultural vibrancy and arts-driven resiliency of Manhattan
With support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation, LMCC’s Creative Engagement, Creative Learning and UMEZ Arts Engagement programs provide technical support to applicants and awards grants to enable hundreds of arts projects in all disciplines, serving Manhattan communities from Inwood to The Battery.
Our grants are often among the first awards an artist or group receives and can help recipients to leverage additional support from other sources.
Creative Learning is designed to support Manhattan’s teaching artists and small arts organizations in accessing public funds to provide community-based arts education projects and programming for older adults. The program is comprised of two funds: City funds, provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund, and State funds, provided by the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants program. Funding is intended for artists and organizations that are not able to apply directly to the City and/or State for arts funding.

Eligibility

Funding is intended for artists and organizations that are not able to apply directly to the City and/or State for arts funding.