Dozens of local organizations and artists will receive grants from the New York State Council on the Arts in 2026.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in a Nov. 18 news release that more than 2,400 grants totaling more than $63 million will support nonprofit arts and culture organizations and individual artists through NYSCA. With more than $17 million previously awarded as multi-year grants, this funding round brings NYSCA’s Fiscal Year 2026 grantmaking totals to $80.9 million.
“New York’s arts and culture sector is a cornerstone of the state’s identity, and we’re making bold investments to ensure it remains strong,” Hochul said in the release. “These grants will lift up artists and organizations in every region, fueling local economies and expanding access to the arts. Congratulations to all the grantees – your talent and dedication help power New York’s future.”
Recipients of four different grant categories were announced: Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, Targeted Opportunities, and Regrants and Services. More than half of Support for Organization grants went to arts and culture nonprofits with budgets less than $500,000, and 71% were awarded to institutions with budgets less than $1 million across the state, the release stated.
The following local organizations will receive Support for Organizations grants: 6 On the Square Inc., Oxford, $10,000; Bright Hill Press, Treadwell, $25,000; Catskill Symphony Orchestra, Oneonta, $25,000; Chenango County Council of the Arts, Norwich, $10,000; Chenango County Historical Society, Norwich, $49,500; Chenango River Theatre, Inc., Greene, $10,000; Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, Norwich, $10,000; Community Arts Network Oneonta, $49,500; Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival, $49,500; Earlville Opera House, $25,000; Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, $49,500; Fenimore Chamber Orchestra, $49,500; Foundation for the Open Eye, Margaretville, $10,000; Franklin Stock Company at Chapel Hall Inc., Franklin, $25,000; Gilboa Historical Society, $10,000; Glimmerglass Opera Theatre Inc., Cooperstown, $49,500; Greater Oneonta Historical Society, $40,000; Hanford Mills Museum at East Meredith, $25,000; Iroquois Indian Museum, Howes Cave, $49,500; Klinkhart Hall Arts Center, Sharon Springs, $15,000; Lexington Foundation, $40,000; Otsego 2000, Cooperstown, $49,500; The Farmers Museum, Cooperstown, $49,500; and Roxbury Arts Group, $49,500.
Earlville Opera House will receive a $154,346 NYSCA Regrants and Service Award. The organization gives grants to artists and organizations in Broome, Chenango and Otsego counties.
The following artists will receive $10,000 Support for Artists Awards grants: Angelica Palmer: Sacred Waters through the New York Folklore Society; Adrian Shirk: Squandered; Anna Moschovakis: The Seventh Book or Prudence and Elektra in 24; and Anne Elizabeth More: Untitled murderers novel through the Roxbury Arts Group; Emily Johnston: Solar Return; Siara McLaren: Inside the Eagles Nest; and Zena Gurbo: The Faces in Parts through the West Kortright Center.
Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center in Oneonta will receive a $34,000 Targeted Opportunity Award grant for rehearsal space for performing artists.
Schoharie River Center in Esperance will receive a $10,000 Targeted Opportunity Award grant for a folk and traditional arts apprenticeship with Noah Khoury as master and Dylan Geddes as apprentice.
NYSCA is currently accepting applications for its $80 million Arts Capital Projects Fund, which closes at 5 p.m. Jan. 13, 2026, the release stated. NYSCA’s Capital Projects Fund invests in capital facilities and expansion projects for cultural nonprofit organizations that promote accessibility, diverse programming, environmental sustainability and more. This funding helps preserve and create jobs that contribute to the growth of New York’s arts and tourism sectors. Visit arts.ny.gov for additional details.