The 2025 Round 2 Individual Artist Grants, administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, support the creation of new work by artists residing in Cattaraugus, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tioga counties in New York. These grants are part of the Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program funded by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), a state agency. The initiative highlights the integral role of artists within their communities by promoting artistic excellence and public engagement.

Eligible applicants must be 18 years or older, not enrolled in a full-time degree program, and must reside in one of the specified counties. Those who have applied directly to NYSCA in FY25, or those with outstanding grant requirements from previous SCR grants, are not eligible. Applicants may submit up to three project proposals across SCR grant categories—Community Arts, Teaching Artist, and Individual Artist—provided the total requested does not exceed $5,000.

Each project must focus on creating new work and include a component of public engagement, either during the creative process or through a final public presentation. Projects must be implemented between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, and both the creation and the public engagement must occur within the applicant’s county of residence. Funding cannot be used for commercial arts, entertainment arts, or projects aimed primarily at financial gain. It also may not support children’s pay, cash prizes, or out-of-state travel.

Artists may request up to $3,000 in grant funding. Eligible expenses include artist fees, materials, and any project-specific costs, with a cap of $1,000 on equipment purchases. Total project budgets must at least match the grant amount requested. The grant does not provide support for scholarships, receptions, or unrelated travel.

Applications are evaluated by a community-based panel according to three core criteria: Artistic and/or Cultural Merit, Public Engagement, and Managerial and Fiscal Competence. Each of these is scored on a 5-point scale. Additional consideration is given to projects led by or serving BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and Folk & Traditional artists or communities, and to those with innovative approaches to public engagement, which are rated on a 4-point scale. Financial need is not a determining factor.

Applications must be submitted online through Submittable by 11:59 p.m. on May 16, 2025. The application includes artist and project information, biographies, work samples, a narrative proposal, and a budget description. Applicants may submit draft narratives for feedback if sent at least one week prior to the deadline. Final funding decisions are based on panel scores and funding availability; The ARTS Council does not influence panel decisions.

Award notifications will be issued by early July 2025. Successful applicants must submit a signed agreement before funds are distributed. For help or to confirm eligibility, artists are encouraged to contact the Grants Manager at chris@eARTS.org or 607-962-1332 x205.