Making art in New York? NYSCA can help.

If you’re a New York artist or arts organization, we think this article is worth screenshotting, bookmarking, silk screening onto a shirt, or wheat pasting onto your in-laws front door (“my bad, I thought you said you support the arts!”). NYSCA funding veterans already know about the secret season between spring and summer, affectionately dubbed “NYSCA season.” But if you’re new to the block, fear not. From “what even is NYSCA” to “gimme that app deadline,” Fractured Atlas has you covered.

Skip the line, and jump directly to the section you’re looking for:

What’s NYSCA?

How Does Fractured Atlas Fit In?

NYSCA Season Schedule

Your step-by-step guide to NYSCA

What’s NYSCA?

NYSCA stands for the New York State Council on the Arts. NYSCA’s mission is “to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all.” Artists and arts organizations living and working in the state of New York can apply for NYSCA funding.

How Does Fractured Atlas Fit In?

We can serve as a fiscal sponsor for those applying for NYSCA funding! One of the services that Fractured Atlas provides is fiscal sponsorship to individuals and organizations whose work falls within the purview of our mission. 

“I’m already fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas.” Hello, gorgeous. If you are applying for NYSCA funding, we will submit the application on behalf of your project. You just supply us with the application information! That said, please note that we are only able to accommodate one NYSCA application per fiscally sponsored project. Keep reading for your deadlines and action items.

“I’m new here! How do I apply for NYSCA funding?” You found us just in time! In order to apply for NYSCA funding through Fractured Atlas, you have to become a member AND apply and be approved for fiscal sponsorship. Keep reading for your deadlines and action items.

NYSCA Season Schedule

NYSCA accepts applications during a short window of time every year. This year, NYSCA season kicks off on June 1st—this Thursday! Here’s how the entire season can be broken down in your calendar:

Your step-by-step guide to NYSCA

One thing about us? We love a good list. Here is a clear, step-by-step guide to NYSCA season, with plenty of hyperlinked action items for you to dig into this month:

“I’m new to NYSCA” Checklist
Step 1: Check to see if you or your organization is eligible for NYSCA funding
Step 2: Become a member at the Professional or Organizational level
Step 3: Apply for fiscal sponsorship by Friday, June 9. Any fiscal sponsorship applications submitted between June 10th and June 23rd with hopes to apply for NYSCA will be subject to our rush fees
Step 4: Check that you’ve met our $1,000 grant-eligibility requirement. In some cases, it is possible to waive this requirement
Step 5: Email us that you’re interested in applying for NYSCA by Friday, June 23, and we will send you our required internal eligibility quiz
Step 5: Once we’ve confirmed that you are eligible to apply, submit your official request via the Grants Dashboard on your Fiscal Sponsorship Dashboard, so we can create a Google Drive folder for your project
Step 6: Upload your application form and supplementary materials to your Google Drive folder by Monday, June 26
Step 7: Be sure to email us when your materials are ready for review and submission. We only check folders once we are notified, so this final step is essential!

“I know my way around NYSCA” Checklist
Step 1: Ensure that your fiscal sponsorship is active and in good standing
Step 2: Check that you’ve met our $1,000 grant-eligibility requirement. In some cases, it is possible to waive this requirement
Step 5: Email us that you’re interested in applying for NYSCA by Friday, June 23, and we will send you our required internal eligibility quiz
Step 5: Once we’ve confirmed that you are eligible to apply, you can start submitting your official request via the Grants Dashboard on your Fiscal Sponsorship Dashboard. We will then create a Google Drive folder for your project, including an application form for you to fill out
Step 6: Upload your application form and supplementary materials to your Google Drive folder by Monday, June 26
Step 7: Be sure to email us when your materials are ready for review and submission. We only check folders once we are notified, so this final step is essential!

Let’s get real for a second. NYSCA season is…busy, to say the least. We want to do justice to every application we receive, but we can’t guarantee a rush review and can’t accommodate next-day expedited rush reviews in this particular season. That said, there are two big things you can do to help your application mosey along more easily:

1. Check Your Email: During the reviewing period of your NYSCA application, we recommend adding "check for Fractured Atlas emails" to your morning routine. The easier it is for us to reach you, the smoother the review process becomes.
   
   
2. Set Personal Deadlines: We recommend gifting yourself some more ease this summer, and setting personal, early deadlines—so you can sit back, relax, and dream up more creative projects while we submit your application.
   
   

That’s it! You made it to the end. But your NYSCA journey is just beginning…We wish everyone an easeful (and fruitful!) NYSCA season 🍋🍓🫐