Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation Arts Engagement

Deadline: 14-Sep-21

The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) is offering Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ) Arts Engagement grant program to enhance the diversity and frequency of arts and cultural presentations in Upper Manhattan.

The program provides direct support for these activities to Upper Manhattan’s artists and nonprofit arts organizations under the guiding principle that support for artists of diverse disciplines, practices, cultural backgrounds, and career stages contributes to the vibrancy and sustainability of the communities in which they live and work.

UMEZ Arts Engagement invites proposals from artists and arts organizations that are:

based in Upper Manhattan and
presenting arts projects or programming serving Upper Manhattan between January 1–December 31, 2022.

Program funding is provided by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ). The UMEZ Arts Engagement program is administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC).

Funding Information

UMEZ Arts Engagement awards grants of $1,000 to $10,000 to support public-facing arts projects or programming taking place in Upper Manhattan.

Eligibility Criteria

Nonprofit Organizations:
- Organizations must be based in Upper Manhattan, defined as north of 98th Street on the east side of Fifth Avenue; and north of 110th Street on the west side.
- Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with proof of nonprofit status.
- Organizations must have a principal mission of production and/or presentation of arts and culture for public audiences.
- Organizations must have carried out or participated in publicly accessible arts programming in 2 of the last 4 calendar years.
- Organizations must have operating budgets under $750,000 for two of the last three completed fiscal years.
- Organizations may not have received funds from or have a pending application with UMEZ for a grant for the same fiscal year.
- First-time applicants are required to attend an information session webinar before applying.
Individual Artists and Collectives:
- Individual artists must reside in Upper Manhattan, defined as north of 98th Street on the east side of Fifth Avenue; and north of 110th Street on the west side.
- Individual artists must be fiscally sponsored by an organization with a formal fiscal sponsorship program or by LMCC.
- Individual artists must have carried out or participated in publicly accessible arts programming in 2 of the last 4 calendar years.
- Collectives must designate a lead artist (director, or equivalent), who meets all eligibility requirements for individual artists, to apply as an individual on its behalf.
- Note: The lead artist must be the primary entity responsible for the application, as well as the grant, if awarded. Guest artists or temporary programming staff will not be considered a lead artist for the application.
- Individual artists may not apply or receive funds on behalf of any organization.
- First-time applicants are required to attend an information session webinar before applying.