NEW YORK - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the first of four rounds of grant awards to 438 performance organizations across New York State. In this round, 773 grants were awarded through the "Restart NY: Rapid Live Performance Grants" program, developed by the New York State Council on the Arts. In addition, nearly $2 million was distributed to NYSCA's Statewide Community Regrant partners to support performances in local communities around the state. In total, nearly $9 million was awarded through NYSCA's Restart NY program.
To
date, nearly $30 million of the State's historic $105 million
investment in the arts has been distributed through NYSCA's Restart NY:
Rapid Live Performance Grants, NYSCA's Statewide Community Regrant partners, and through multi-year awards.
"The
pandemic has deeply impacted New York's unparalleled artistic
community, specifically live performers, performance organizations and
venues," Governor Cuomo said.
"NYSCA's accelerated grants are a powerful affirmation of our
commitment to support the return of arts and culture. This investment in
our artistic industry will pay dividends through the economic
activity generated by our creative ecosystem, which will continue
to flourish and inspire us as we work together to reimagine our future."
The
773 grants administered by NYSCA will support the return of live
performance, an area that has been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic. In a rapid response to the field's urgent needs, the
application period and approval process was achieved in
an unparalleled, expedited timeline. Through the Restart NY: Rapid
Performance Grants program, NYSCA will administer this vital aid to
catalyze the return of near-term live performances. At least 60 percent
of each grant award will provide compensation for artistic and or
creative professionals.
Mara Manus, NYSCA Executive Director, said, "This is an extraordinarily challenging time for the arts and culture sector, and we recognize that it calls for responsive action. The goal of our Restart NY: Rapid Live Performance grants program is to quickly provide needed funds to support performance organizations, artists and creative professionals that have been unable to produce live, in-person performances for more than a year. These awards reflect NYSCA's FY2022 priorities with 75 percent of grants awarded to organizations with operating budgets of less than $1 million. The arts, including live performances, drive our state's economy and cultural tourism, inspire audiences, and bring communities together - the NYSCA team is excited to welcome back live performance statewide."
In June, NYSCA announced its FY2022 opportunities and goals, which includes four rounds of funding. The agency opened the application process for Restart NY: Rapid Live Performance Grants on June 16, 2021 and the application period closed on July 1, 2021. The NYSCA Council swiftly awarded grants to performance organizations in every region.
Katherine Nicholls, NYSCA Chair, said,
"This is an important first-step on a multi-faceted road to recovery
for our sector. The State's historic investment of $105 million for arts
and culture charged us to respond to the needs of the sector after more
than a year of hardship. Council is proud to support artists, cultural
professionals and performance organizations with expedited funding. We
recognize Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature for their unwavering
commitment to the recovery of the arts."
Restart NY: Rapid Live Performance grantees span every region of the state, and performances will be open to the public.
A complete list of recipients is available here.
About the New York State Council on the Arts
The New York State Council on the Arts preserves and advances the arts and culture that make New York State an exceptional place to live, work and visit. The Council on the Arts upholds the right of all New Yorkers to experience the vital contributions the arts make to our communities, education, economic development, and quality of life.
Through its core grantmaking activity, the Council on the Arts awarded more than $40 million in FY2021. Through the statewide grants and regrants
program, Council on the Arts funding reaches all 62
counties throughout New York State. This funding supports the visual,
literary, media and performing arts and includes dedicated support for
arts education and underserved communities. The Council on the
Arts further advances New York's creative culture by convening leaders
in the field and providing organizational and professional development
opportunities and informational resources.
Created
by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued and expanded to
the present day with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New
York State Legislature, NYSCA is an agency of the Executive Branch of
New York State.
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