The 2025 Round 1 Community Arts Grant, managed by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, provides funding for public arts and cultural projects that benefit residents of Cattaraugus, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tioga counties. These grants, funded by New York State’s Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program, aim to make the arts accessible and integral to local communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, local governments, and Tribal organizations within the service counties. Individual artists or non-incorporated groups can also apply through a fiscal sponsor or community partner.

Projects must take place within the applicant’s county, serve the public, and include an artistic component. Funding requests range from $500 to $5,000, and up to three grant applications across Community Arts, Teaching Artist, and Individual Artist categories are permitted, totaling no more than $5,000. Eligible costs include project-specific expenses, though equipment spending is capped at $1,000, and no funds may support cash prizes, parties, or out-of-state travel.

Applications, due by December 13, 2024, are evaluated based on artistic merit, community benefit, and management. Additional points are awarded to projects that pay artist fees and support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or Folk & Traditional arts. Funding notifications will be issued by early February 2025, with disbursement contingent on a signed acceptance agreement. For guidance, applicants may contact the Grants Manager, Chris Walters, at chris@eARTS.org.