Decentralization Regrant Program 

Artists, artist collectives, non-profits, libraries, and local municipalities can apply directly for grants. Others may be eligible to apply with the help of another organization. These grants are for programs in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties of New York State.

If you’ve never written or applied for a grant before, these grants are the perfect place to start. Before the application deadline, our Grant Coordinator, Alicia Murphy, can provide one-on-one assistance and support to help you feel comfortable with the application process.

If you are thinking about applying for a grant, please message us to talk about your ideas!  We can help you determine the best funding option for your needs.

Available Grants:

• Individual Artist Grant
  • Who can apply: Individual artists – check is written directly to the artist.
  • Match required? No matching funds required.
  • Request/award: $1,000 – $2,500.
  • Funds are intended for new, original work that engages a segment of the community through a public program and/or the inclusion of community involvement in the project’s development and creative process.

• Arts Education Grant
  • Who can apply: Individual artists, non-profits, or unincorporated organizations, working in partnership with K-12 public schools or community-based partners. Check written directly to artist or organization.
  • Match required? Minimum 25% financial match – cash or in-kind donations.
  • Request/award: $300-$5,000
  • Provide rich, artistic learning experiences for K-12 public school students or community-based learners of all ages.

• Community Arts Grant
  • Who can apply: Municipalities, libraries, or 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. In addition, individual artists or
    organizations may apply with an eligible municipality, library, or non-profit acting as a fiscal sponsor. Check written directly to the municipality, library, or non-profit organization.
  • Match required? Minimum 25% match required, can be cash or in-kind (goods or services) donations.
  • Request/award: $300-$5,000
  • Public arts experiences.

• Not the best fit? Check out these other resources:
  • Grants/Funding Opportunities Newsletter from the St. Lawrence County Planning Office; subscribe by e-mailing Heidi Ames.
  • NYFA Source is an on-line directory of awards, services, and publications for artists hosted by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).

Free Informational Grant Workshops

Free, informational arts funding workshops are scheduled every summer throughout the tri-county area.  This year, due to public health concerns, ALL workshops will be held virtually, using the Zoom videoconferencing app.  All first-time applicants are REQUIRED to attend a workshop before applying for a grant.  Due to many changes for the 2021 grant cycle, return applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one, as well.  

All Summer 2020 workshops have passed. Please email Alicia, our Grant Coordinator, to set up a one-on-one meeting. 

Grant Applicant Resources

• Read the grant guidelines for the grant you are planning to apply for:
  • 2021 Individual Artist Grant Guidelines
  • 2021 Arts Education Grant Guidelines
  • 2021 Community Arts Grant Guidelines
• Read the application questions for the grant you are planning to apply for:
  • 2021 Individual Artist Grant Printable Application Questions
  • 2021 Arts Education Grant Printable Application Questions
  • 2021 Community Arts Grant Printable Application Questions
• How much will it cost to do what you want to do? Start crunching the numbers:
  • Budget Worksheet (Community Arts Grant applicants are encouraged to use this Excel template.)
• Hiring artists? You need to attach a signed contract to your application
  • Artist Sample Contract Form
• Renting something or hiring a non-artist for your project? You need to attach a signed contract to your application.
  • Other Services Sample Contract Form

Apply Online for a Grant

The submission deadline for projects taking place in 2021 is Friday, October 30, 2020, 11:59pm. 

Apply Online for a 2021 Individual Artist Grant
Apply Online for a 2021 Arts Education Grant
Apply Online for a 2021 Community Arts Grant 

Grant Recipient Resources

• Credit the grant correctly: “This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew M Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.”
  
• Notify SLC Arts as soon as possible if any changes need to be made to your program.
• Are you an artist getting paid by a grant? You need to sign this form so we can legally pay you.
  • W-9 Form
• Survey your audience (not required, but encouraged): Audience Survey Form
  
• Expect a visitor from SLC Arts to come see your program. Here’s what they’ll be looking for:
  • DEC Event Audit Form (Electronically Fillable – Word Format) | DEC Event Audit Form (Printable – PDF Format)
• Submit a final report:
  • 2020 Public Art Fellowship Final Report
  • 2020 Teaching Artists’ Fund Final Report
  • 2020 Community Arts Grant Final Report

Questions? Want to learn more?

Free informational workshops are scheduled every summer throughout the tri-county area. First-time applicants are required to attend a workshop before submitting an application. For more information, please contact Alicia Murphy, Regrants & Community Engagement Coordinator, at grants@slcartscouncil.org or 315-265-6860.

Want to serve as a grant review panelist? Know someone who might?

The grant review panel is critical to our regrant program, and relies on community input to fairly distribute funding. SLC Arts is always looking for volunteers willing to commit the time and dedication needed to serve as a panelist. If you or someone you know loves art, lives in the tri-county region, and would like to help your local arts community in a big way, please consider submitting a nomination for a grant review panelist here.