Application Guidelines

WHO CAN APPLY?

• Applicants must identify as disabled. 
• Applicants need to be actively creating in visual, media, music, performing, literary, or multidisciplinary arts. There should also be public engagement with the artist’s work such as exhibitions, shows, community-based programs, performances, or other public presentations of the artist’s work.
  Applicants need to provide documentation of a sustained commitment to their artistic practice from any time over the past 4 years (2019 to date).
• Applicants must be 21 years or older on or before Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
• Applicants must be current New York State residents for at least the past twelve months.
• Recipients of Cycle 1 or Cycle 2 of the NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant cannot apply. This is a one-time grant.
• Applicants can be past recipients of any of NYFA’s other grant programs.
• Applicants do not need to be U.S. citizens but must be able to provide a W-9 with a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or EIN (after selection).
• NYFA employees, members of the NYFA Board of Trustees or Artists’ Advisory Committee, and/or an immediate family member of any of the above cannot apply.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applications must be in English (though they may be translated by someone other than the applicant) and can be completed by a proxy if needed.

Applicants will need to provide the following documents:

1. Documentation of a current sustained artistic practice over the past 4 years (2019 to date) in the visual, media, music, performing, or literary arts by submitting:
   
   • One of the following:
     • An up-to-date CV or resume listing creative activities that the artist has participated in (please ensure dates are listed).
     • A short artist biography up to 300 words outlining the artist’s practice and accomplishments from anytime in the past 4 years (2019 to date). Where appropriate, please list dates and locations. 
   • AND one of the following:
     • Example of public engagement: one press link/news article from any time between 2019 to date of the artist’s creative activity. 
       Activities might include, but are not limited to: exhibition/show press release, exhibition/show review that the artist participated in, or promotional material of an exhibition or show or other published online documentation of the artist’s creative practice.
     • Recent work samples of work created within the last four years, 2019 to date. Applicants will be able to upload images, audio recordings, short video clips, or a PDF manuscript (excerpt only). 
     • Reference: A short letter of reference from a past curator or community arts organizer that has worked with you in a creative capacity within the past three years. Letters should be signed and dated and on a letterhead or email with email address and date visible.
       
   • OPTIONAL – Applicants can also provide an additional link to illustrate their online presence such as a link to Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

2. Documentation of New York State residency: Applicants will need to submit two (2) official letters or other documentation from the following dates:
   
   • Document 1: Dated on or before April 2022
   • Document 2: Dated anytime in 2023
     
     Applications that submit documents that are dated outside of the eligible date ranges will not qualify for the grant. 
     
     The documents can be, but are not limited to: a utility bill, bank statement or bill, credit card statement, valid government ID listing address issued within the required dates, and/or residential or studio lease active within the required dates. The documents must include:
     
   • Applicant’s full name
   • New York State address
   • Date (Document 1: Dated on or before April 2022 + Document 2: Dated anytime in 2023)

3. Proof of age: Upload passport or state-issued ID proving applicant is 21 years or older on or before Tuesday, April 4, 2023..