DCLA Art Fund Grants (Staten Island Arts)

DCLA Art Fund Grants (Staten Island Arts) is sponsored by Staten Island Arts (funded by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs). These grants support individual artists and unincorporated art collectives that have previously received a Staten Island Arts project grant.

Department of Cultural Affairs Art Fund Grant - Staten Island Arts DCLA Art Fund Grants support returning applicants previously awarded a Premier Grant. Grant Request Range: $750–$5000 This grant category is for individual Staten Island artists and art collectives who produce art or cultural programming. All projects must include a public component or simply a public sharing of work (for example, an exhibition/showing at a local venue).

All art and artistic cultural disciplines are considered, including 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. No conduit or 501(c)3 is required. Each grant cycle, under-resourced disciplines are identified and then prioritized in the panel process.

Under-resourced disciplines for 2025 are: Folk Arts, Classical Music/Opera, Photography This grant is funded through the Greater New York Arts Development Fund (GNYADF) of New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). To be eligible for an Art Fund 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 foremost attention.

Under-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. Individuals/Groups/Organizations receiving direct or discretionary funds from the Department of Cultural Affairs in the same fiscal year their SIA grant would be issued. Groups/Organizations with operating income budgets over $100,000 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.

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. Project grant applications for the 2026 cycle will open on November 17, 2025 and the deadline to submit is January 31st. 2026.

Applicants who have not applied for funding in the past 2 years should attend an information session to learn of any new changes to the program. The information session schedule can be found here . The following is the criteria used to decide on funding: Work Sample: Can applicant successfully create the project they propose from the work shown in the sample or have they demonstrated readiness for the proposed project through past work?

Does it have artistic merit/cultural significance? Community Benefit: How will the project be available to the public? Is it accessible to the applicant’s intended audience?

Projects which address communities or artistic disciplines which are under-resourced should receive foremost attention. Narrative: Does the narrative leave too many unanswered questions or incomplete planning? Does it show that the applicant has experience creating this kind of work, or that they can successfully do what they propose?

Past work is taken into consideration. Budget: Is the budget and timeline realistic? Are artist fee realistic, materials fee, etc.?

Does adjusted budget allow for the proposal to be completed as stated? Artist fees, marketing and publicity expenses, direct administrative expenses, supplies and materials expenses are given priority. Applicants who have not received funding in the past 2 years should attend an information session to learn of any new changes to the program.

Once available, the information session schedule is posted on the Grants Overview page and can also be found here . During grants season, Grants Administrator Gena Mimozo offers 1:1 grant support Monday through Friday from 3pm to 7pm for prospective applicants who already have a proposal in mind or who have multiple proposals in mind and need guidance/feedback.

If you have attended a session and would like a consult, please fill out this form. If you have any additional questions, please contact Gena at gmimozo@statenislandarts. org .