Manhattan Arts Grants: UMEZ Arts Engagement

Manhattan Arts Grants: UMEZ Arts Engagement

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
Amount: US $1,000 - US $10,000
Last Updated: July 23, 2025

Summary

The Manhattan Arts Grants: UMEZ Arts Engagement program supports Upper Manhattan artists and arts organizations in accessing funds to enhance cultural presentations. Managed by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, this initiative fosters community engagement through diverse art projects, promoting equity and accessibility in the arts. Since its inception in 1983, it has bolstered the cultural vibrancy of Manhattan, providing vital resources for artistic expression and collaboration within the community.

Overview

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Founded as  LMCC serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community. Since 1973, LMCC has been the champion for independent artists in New York City and the cultural life force of Lower Manhattan. We envision New York City as a place in which artists and community in dialogue are creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable society. Our Mission: To create a fertile and nurturing environment for artists and arts groups, enlivening public spaces with free programs in the visual, performing, and new media arts, and to provide leadership in cultural planning and advocacy. Manhattan Arts Grants: UMEZ Arts Engagement 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. UMEZ Arts Engagement is a grant program designed to support Upper Manhattan artists and arts organizations in accessing Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) funds for presentations that enhance the diversity and frequency of cultural presentations in Upper Manhattan. UMEZ Arts Engagement invites proposals from artists and arts organizations of diverse disciplines, practices, cultural backgrounds, and career stages that are 1) based in Upper Manhattan and 2) presenting art projects or programming in Upper Manhattan, making their work more widely available to the public.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Funding is intended for artists and arts organizations that are both:Based in Upper ManhattanPresenting arts projects or programming serving Upper Manhattan between January 1–December 31, 2026.