Scherman Foundation: Arts Program Grant

The Scherman Foundation's Arts Program supports organizations in New York City that promote economic, political, and cultural transformation for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). By prioritizing BIPOC-led arts initiatives, the foundation aims to create equitable access to resources and decision-making in the arts sector, while fostering community power through artistic expression and activism. This strategic focus ensures the vibrancy and sustainability of local cultural heritage amid ongoing challenges.

NOTE: A new Letter of Intent is not required for current grantees. The Scherman Foundation accepts Letters of Intent for New Requests. Applicants will generally be advised by June if a LOI has been declined or will be invited to submit a full proposal for consideration. Please note that we primarily support current grantees and make a limited number of new grants each year.
Our Strategic Framework
We support organizations working at the intersections of these transformation areas inside our strategic framework. This framework is the foundation of our more specific and evolving program priorities.
Economic TransformationOur focus on economic transformation acknowledges that the root causes of economic inequity are linked to white supremacy and racial injustice and that the economic well being of BIPOC individuals and communities is critical for liberation.We support organizations that focus on:Strategies and models that provide BIPOC communities with greater access to capital, assets, and opportunitiesEconomic stability and security for BIPOC individuals and familiesAdvocating for more equitable economic systems through policy reform, institutional changes, and increased transparencyPolitical TransformationWe believe that those who have been excluded must lead the way in dismantling current political structures and creating new, inclusive, and reflective democratic processes.We support organizations that focus on:Work and priorities that are driven by BIPOC communitiesForging multi-racial coalitions working toward racial justiceReforming political structures and processes to make the political system more accessible and accountable to BIPOC communitiesIncreasing the participation of BIPOC communities in democratic processes and decision-making at all levelsCultural TransformationRecognizing the crucial role of culture in advancing justice, we support organizations that harness storytelling, expression, and artistic activism to drive systemic change.Our focus is on collaborative narrative change strategies, innovative storytelling frameworks, and equitable media accessibility.We support organizations that focus on:Public Narrative Change: Combating misinformation and harmful stereotypes through investments in journalism, local news outlets, and nonfiction narrativesArtistic Expression: Supporting the creativity and work of BIPOC artists and communities without imposing agendas or conditions and transforming the field to do the sameArtivism: Using art as a tool for organizing grassroots movements and collective action, including funding on-the-ground storytelling and public art projects
General Criteria
We consider the following general criteria in our grantmaking process.
Organizations that are accountable to or directed by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.While we prioritize BIPOC leadership, our main focus is on organizations where BIPOC communities have clear influence and decision-making power over the organization's strategy, direction, programmatic work, and finances.Organizations that are intersectional in their work and practices.Intersectionality recognizes that individuals hold multiple identities, shaping their experiences with power. We look for organizations that demonstrate a deep understanding of intersectionality in their mission, programs, and practices; center the voices and experiences of those most affected by multiple forms of oppression; and address the interconnectedness of racial justice with economic status, gender, LGBTQ+, and/or disability justice as well.Organizations that work with others to build movements toward racial justice.Movement-building is the long-term process of organizing and empowering individuals and organizations to collectively work towards systemic change and a shared vision.We look for organizations and coalitions that reflect key characteristics of movement building including an authentic mass base; grassroots leadership; a shared ideology or narrative; broad coalition-building; and strategy to create and sustain structural change beyond specific organizations or campaigns.The Foundation supports organizations focused on organizing and advocacy, while our Arts funding includes a wider range of approaches.
Movements cannot exist without artistic power, and art and creation itself is a form of power—both must be prioritized. A percentage of our funding will be allocated to citywide arts support services and advocacy rooted in racial justice, ensuring the sustained transformation of the arts field at large.
Funding Priorities
In Central & South Brooklyn, the South Bronx, East and Central Harlem, and on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, we support organizations that:
Focus on arts, cultural, and narrative work through a racial justice lensBuild BIPOC-led arts infrastructure and provide unconditional, holistic support for BIPOC artists, ensuring their artistic freedom and creativity are respected, resourced, and amplifiedEnhance economic opportunities and access for communities through arts and culture, including partnerships with local vendors, events, and engagementSupport the use of art and "artivism" as means of political leverage and advocacy both within the arts field and across areas to build community powerEnsure BIPOC art and culture workers have a seat at the table where resource allocation and decision-making occurSupport the power and presence of long-standing BIPOC communities in the area, preserve and promote local cultural heritage, and address gentrification's impact on local communities while fostering continued artistic generationEngage with and benefit diverse audiencesBolster BIPOC-led and serving arts and cultural networks and underfunded cultural organizations
Outside of our geographic priorities, we also support:
“Bridge” theaters across the city that center BIPOC artists and transformative works.

Eligibility

Organizations must have 501(c)(3) charitable status or a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status.GeographyCentral & South Brooklyn, the South Bronx, East and Central Harlem, and on the Lower East Side of Manhattan

Ineligibility

We do not consider:Grants to support specific events or productionsDirect service work unless embedded in a larger organizing and movement building strategyOrganizations primarily working outside of the U.S.