UMEZ Arts Engagement Grant (UMAE)
Funding Amount
Up to $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
From the program guidelines: “Applications accepted annually (specific dates vary by year)”
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Cultural nonprofits
- Fiscally-sponsored individual artists
- Collectives and cultural nonprofits
Required status
- Individual artists (must be fiscally sponsored)
Other requirements
- Art collectives
- Budget requirement: Organizations with budgets under $750,000 (2019 onwards)
- Must support public engagement with artistic projects
- Arts organizations with budgets under $750,000
Overview
Geographic Scope: Upper Manhattan (all four uptown Community Boards including Central Harlem, West Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood)
Total Annual Awards:
- 2018: $250,000 to 37 artists and organizations
- 2019: $400,000 to 53 artists and organizations
- 2020: $375,000 to 54 artists and organizations
Focus Areas:
- Dance
- Multidisciplinary and literature
- Music
- Theater
- Visual arts and media
- New media
- Film
Eligibility:
- Individual artists (must be fiscally sponsored)
- Art collectives
- Cultural nonprofits
- Budget requirement: Organizations with budgets under $750,000 (2019 onwards)
- Must support public engagement with artistic projects
What They Fund:
- Project-based support
- Public performances and workshops
- Exhibitions and festivals
- Educational programming
- Cultural activities and community engagement
Program History:
- Originally designed as a two-year pilot initiative (2018-2019)
- Renewed for continued support through 2021
- Administered in partnership with Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC)
Contact Information:
- Email: info@umez.org
- Phone: (212) 410-0030
- Address: 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027
- LMCC Website: lmcc.net/resources/manhattan-arts-grants/umez-arts-engagement/
How to Apply
Application Process
Key Dates:
- 2019 deadline: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 5 p.m. EDT
- Applications accepted annually (specific dates vary by year)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Fiscally-sponsored individual artists
- Arts organizations with budgets under $750,000
- Collectives and cultural nonprofits
- Must support public engagement with artistic projects
Application Submission:
- Submit through LMCC (Lower Manhattan Cultural Council)
- Online application portal
- Information available at: lmcc.net/resources/manhattan-arts-grants/umez-arts-engagement/
Application Support:
- Information sessions available
- Technical assistance provided
- Detailed eligibility criteria available on LMCC website
Evaluation:
- Juried selection process
- Review panel of arts professionals and community leaders
- Diverse panel representing various artistic disciplines and communities
What Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 11
- Total given
- $735K
- Median grant
- $25K
- Range
- $15K–$354K
- By dollars: New York 100%. Top recipient cities: New York, NY.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 18% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Lower Manhattan Cultural Coumcil · New York, NY
Art engagement program
$354K
Apollo Theatre Foundation Inc · New York, NY
To support major capital components for apollo soundstage and the victoria theaters
$175K
Community Impact · New York, NY
Ercb grant
$25K
Community League of the Heights Inc · New York, NY
Ercb grant
$25K
New York Urban League Inc · New York, NY
Ercb grant
$25K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Arts
- Music
- Dance
- Theater
Categories
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