NYSCA Encore Grants

The NYSCA Encore Grants are designed to support returning Staten Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in presenting significant artistic and cultural programming across various disciplines. Eligible projects must focus on cultural expression and be accessible to the community, emphasizing artistic significance and addressing under-resourced disciplines. The grant is funded by the New York State Council on the Arts and aims to enhance local cultural production and community engagement.

Note: Under-resourced disciplines for 2025 are: Folk Arts, Film, Literature.
This grant category is for returning Staten Island based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that present programming of artistic and cultural significance in all art and artistic cultural disciplines including, but not limited to music, dance, digital/new media, film/video/animation, folk arts, humanities and cultural studies, interdisciplinary events/festivals, literature, public art, theatre, and performing and visual arts.
The Encore grant is funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency Statewide Community Regrant Program with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Eligibility

NYSCA Encore Grants support returning Staten Island based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.Applying organizations must have 501(c)3 status.Projects must be open to the public and take place on Staten Island during the calendar year they are awarded.To be eligible for a NYSCA Encore Grant, the applicant must meet ALL of the following criteria:Proposals must focus on artistic or creative expression and cultural significance.Clearly stated objectives.Clear and realistic plan for implementation.Appropriate request level and realistic budget for stated proposal.Need and impact on the artistic discipline, geographic area, or local population:Projects that address under-resourced communities or artistic disciplines will receive the foremost attentionUnder-resourced communities have low or limited access to the means of cultural production as well as art programming/activities.Under-resourced disciplines are disciplines that have received low or limited funding from the arts council in the past.Demonstrated community interest or support of project.Applicant’s artistic experience, skill, and exhibition/performance history.The project should be accessible to any member of the community who wishes to partake in the experience.Venues should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards.Virtual programs should provide captioning, subtitles, or ASL interpretation.All Staten Island Arts grants applications (including work samples) are online only.Applicants must be in good standing with Staten Island Arts, including completion and acceptable performance on previous grant projects, submission/approval of final reporting, or timely project updates if project is in extension.All grant-funded projects must be completed within the designated calendar year.You can use the funds for artist fees, venue rental fees, marketing/publicity expenses, direct administrative expenses, and supplies and materials.*Exception for NYSCA applicants ONLY - equipment, software, subscriptions, and training needed to produce a virtual project. Individual items may not exceed $1,000. Examples: cameras, lighting equipment, subscriptions associated with virtual programming, and training to utilize these tools.Yes, it is possible to apply for multiple grants if the grant guidelines allow it. However, since the grant program is a competitive process and not all requests can be funded, applicants are encouraged to select the grant which best suits their needs and submit a complete and well thought-through application only in that respective program.

Ineligibility

These grants are not for fellowships, subsidies, or entitlements.What is not eligible:Organizations that submit a direct application the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) in the same fiscal year their SIA grant would be issued, regardless of their application’s status.Organizations with operating income budgets over $300,000 for two of the last three fiscal years.Programs that are essentially religious, recreational, rehabilitative, or therapeutic.Universities, colleges, primary and secondary schools and districts, school affiliates or components, in-school activities or programs/activities that exclusively serve a student audience with no public component.Programs serving only the applicant organization’s members.Operating expenses of privately- owned facilities (homes and studios).Deficit budgets, capital improvements, equipment purchases, fundraising events, scholarships, juror fees, prizes, lobbying expenses, entertainment, reception or food expenses, any non-arts related expenses or administrative costs unrelated to project.Virtual project exemption: equipment, software, subscriptions, and training needed to produce a virtual project. Individual items may not exceed $1,000. Examples: cameras, lighting equipment, subscriptions associated with virtual programming, and training to utilize these tools.Applicants who cannot present a valid tax-exempt Federal ID number.Applicants who are not in good standing with Staten Island Arts including failing to complete previous Staten Island Arts grant projects and/or failure to complete final reporting.Hard copies are no longer available or accepted.Grant funds can never be used for food/refreshments/purchasing equipment*.