Grants

The General Operating Support Program is made possible by the County of Onondaga and administered by CNY Arts. The program provides grant funding for arts and cultural projects, programs, and services for the benefit of the residents and visitors of Onondaga County. The program also recognizes the important role the arts play as an economic driver and keeping Onondaga County an attractive place to live, work, and play. The County has historically funded several mid-sized arts organizations and larger cultural institutions. General Operating Support grants are available by invitation only to groups that have been historically funded through this program since 2011.

The goal of the Marketing for Economic Development program is to support promotional efforts and marketing campaigns for nonprofit arts organizations. It is designed to increase tourism to Onondaga County from outside the county; spotlight local cultural offerings; attract new and returning audiences; and encourage peripheral spending to promote economic development.

The purpose of the Tier Three Project Support program is to provide grant funding for arts and cultural projects, programs, and services to the public executed by Onondaga County nonprofit organizations designated as Tier Three Agencies.

The Poet Laureateship of Onondaga County is an honorary position offered to an esteemed poet who has demonstrated significant creative achievement and community contributions. Appointed biennially by CNY Arts following the recommendation of a selection panel, the Poet Laureate position exists to promote literacy and expression via the arts of poetry and/or spoken word across Onondaga County.

This program is administered by CNY Arts and made possible with funds from the County of Onondaga. The goal of the Small Festivals Fund program is to provide grant funding for small arts & cultural festivals in Onondaga County.

On behalf of Onondaga County, CNY Arts is seeking qualified proposals from local municipalities for innovative public art projects. The program goals are to broaden the range of art experiences throughout the County by supporting the creation of public art varying in scope and scale, thereby showcasing local talent, strengthening civic pride, and celebrating the diverse cultural experiences of the County.

This regrant program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Its aim is to support the capacity of individual artists and nonprofit organizations to develop quality arts and culture projects and programming across the diverse segments of CNY Arts’ six-county service area. We aim to contribute to the cultural development of our region and to provide opportunities for the six contiguous counties within it to experience and engage with the arts.

The Syracuse Arts & Culture Recovery Fund is provided by the City of Syracuse and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Its purpose is to support the arts and culture sectors of the city by generating economic activity, creating meaningful employment for those in the industry, and producing tax revenue for the City of Syracuse.

The Syracuse Prize celebrates and supports individuals who have made a significant contribution to the enrichment and vibrancy of the City of Syracuse. This Prize is made possible through a generous donor-advised fund managed by the Central New York Community Foundation and in part through Cowley Associates. The award process and associated ceremony are administered and produced by CNY Arts. The Prize and ceremony are not part of CNY Arts’ publicly-funded regrant programs.

The Grants for Regional Arts and Culture Engagement Program is a special, one-year regrant program funded by a Special Legislative Initiative by the New York State Senate in 2023. This opportunity replaces our annual Statewide Community Regrants and Decentralization Program made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts.

The purpose of the Senator Rachel May Young Artist Scholarship program is to recognize and support gifted young artists in their artistic development by providing financial assistance in advanced or ongoing study and intensive programs. The scholarship is an opportunity for students to further their development and education in the arts, advance in their artistic discipline, and increase their exposure as artists. Students must demonstrate talent and a minimum of three years of experience in their artistic or cultural discipline. Returning applicants must demonstrate the advancement in their artistic development and will be asked to describe the value and impact of the program on their artistic development. Young Artist Scholarships are paid directly to the grantee’s hosting program or institution.