About This Opportunity

The Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program, administered by the CREATE Council on the Arts, channels public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to **inspire and empower individual artists and cultural organizations in Columbia, Greene, and Schoharie Counties**. Its fundamental goal is to **ensure access to the arts**, recognizing their pivotal role in **community enrichment, economic vitality, and overall well-being.** The SCR grants support a diverse range of artistic expressions, fostering creativity as a communal asset while promoting cultural diversity, inclusivity, and the dynamic evolution of artistic practices in the region.

An integral aspect of the SCR program is its **focus on community involvement** which includes a **peer panel composed of local community members**. Community stakeholders know from lived experience what a community's unique needs and aspirations are and they bring insight into the review process of grant applications.

**GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:**

* Projects must take place in and benefit residents of the Applicant’s county of residence with arts and or cultural programs.

* Projects must take place in the same county as the Fiscal Sponsor or Community Partner.

* The applicant’s programs or projects must take place in their respective county during 2026.

* The applicant’s programming, administrative practice and Board membership (where applicable) does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, class, color, sexuality, gender, gender expression, religion, age, nationality, disability, marital status, or military status, in any of their activities or operations.

**TIMELINE / IMPORTANT DATES**

* **January - December** **2026** – 2026 SCR Project Period.

* **February** **2026** – Peer Review Panels held. CREATE Board approves funding recommendations.

* **March 2026** – Award notifications sent and announced publicly (unawarded applicants may appeal decisions within 10 days of notice). Contracts are sent and must be returned within 30 days of the issue date. Checks are sent once CREATE receives all signed contracts and W9s. Funds will not be released until CREATE has received grant monies from NYSCA for distribution. SCR project period begins January 1st, 2026.

* **Spring 2026** – Award Ceremony held TBD.

* **December 1, 2026** – FY25 projects Final Reports due.

Eligibility

Geographic Requirements

New York, NY, US

Other Requirements

* **A 501(c)(3) or New York State non-profit organization** with an active board of trustees either incorporated in NY State or registered to do business in NY State and established in Columbia, Greene or Schoharie county and requesting funding in the respective county of establishment. * **Individual, group or collective, and unincorporated entities** working with an eligible Fiscal Sponsor or Community Partner. * **Fiscal Sponsor** must meet the same basic eligibility requirements as an applicant organization and provide the same required documents. * **Community Partner** is only required to provide a Letter of Commitment confirming the partnership with the applicant and outlining the scope of the partnership and each partner’s investment or contribution (in-kind and/or cash) towards the proposed project. * **Individual artists** applying in the Individual Artist category may only apply under their own name, using their own SSN. An artist’s incorporation or establishment of a limited liability company (LLC) or limited liability partnership (LLP) is not disqualifying. However, an artist is only eligible for SCR funding for a commission they propose to undertake in their individual capacity. * **A government or quasi-governmental entity, or federally recognized Tribal Nation.** * For applications from federally recognized Tribal Nation: * Located anywhere in NYS, regardless of county. * Can work with CREATE to identify appropriate documentation to show association with the Tribal Nation. * Exempt from the 3 requests, $7,500 limit. Individual Tribal organizations within Tribal Nations are subject to the 3 request, $7,500 limit. * **Additional eligible applicants include:** * A group that is incorporated in another state as a not-for-profit corporation, registered with the NY State Secretary of State as a “foreign not-for-profit corporation”, with its primary location in NYS (or the relevant regrant region), and registered with the Charities Bureau.

Statewide Community Re-grants Program

About This Opportunity

What You'll Get

Application Requirements

Eligibility

Geographic Requirements

Other Requirements

CREATE Council on the Arts

Ready to take the next step?