FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
$10K NYSCA ‘Support for Artists’ Grants for 2027 Now Available Through LIAA
The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) is offering FY2027 “Support for Artists” grants, providing $10,000 in direct support to individual artists for the creation and development of new work across a wide range of disciplines.
Artists must apply through a fiscal sponsor, and LIAA is available to support applicants through the process. As a fiscal sponsor, LIAA submits applications to NYSCA on behalf of artists, provides administrative oversight, and handles required grant reporting for funded projects.
An administrative fee of 5% is deducted from the total award. If your application is not funded, there is no fee.
Eligible artistic disciplines include:
- Choreographer Commissions
- Composer Compositions
- Film, Media, and New Technology
- Folk and Traditional Arts
- Interdisciplinary
- Literature
- Theater Commissions
- Visual Arts
This opportunity is designed to support artists who are developing new projects and seeking funding to invest in their creative process.
How to Apply with LIAA as Your Fiscal Sponsor
To apply with LIAA, you’ll need to complete an intake form and schedule a pre-application meeting so we can determine your eligibility and provide guidance.
Important Deadlines:
- By Monday, June 22, 2026: Read NYSCA’s Support for Artists Guidelines AND complete LIAA's intake form to schedule your required pre-application meeting with a member of our team. After you submit the intake form, LIAA will review your materials and follow up within three business days with next steps regarding a pre-application meeting.
- By Friday, July 3, 2026: Submit all final grant materials to LIAA. This is a hard deadline – LIAA must then review and upload your application to the NYSCA portal on your behalf.
- July 8, 2026: NYSCA’s “Support for Artists” deadline. LIAA will submit all necessary materials on your behalf in advance of this date. You will receive confirmation from LIAA when your materials have been submitted.
Please note: You must complete a pre-application meeting with LIAA by Tuesday June 23rd in order to use us as your fiscal sponsor.
“If it wasn't for LIAA I never would have even thought to apply for a NYSCA grant. I thought grants like those were meant for 'other artists,' and the opportunity wasn't even on my radar. Talking to LIAA in the initial round of the process helped me feel validated and gave me the confidence I needed to move forward with my application. I have been exhibiting and selling my work for the past twenty years and this is my first major award. It feels so good. The funding is amazingly liberating but even more so is the change in my mindset.”
— Syd Glaser
LIAA Sponsored Artist · 2026 NYSCA Support for Artists Recipient
I thank all that is good for the Long Island Arts Alliance and their assistance as my fiscal sponsor for attaining a New York State Council on the Arts FY 2026 Individual Artist Award. In particular, Lauren Wagner was the epitome of professionalism and above and beyond supportive every step of the way. As an artist constantly juggling several projects/jobs to get by, this grant has allowed me space to breathe and delve unfettered into my creativity.
-Paul Rodriguez
LIAA Sponsored Artist, NYSCA Support for Artists 2026- With the guidance and support of the Long Island Arts Alliance, navigating the NYSCA process was a seemless & invaluable learning experience for me.It’s easy to love your own idea, but acknowledgment from the outside pushed my confidence to a new level.This funding is allowing me to create, explore and complete a project sans financial worries, and that feels life changing.-Jill SkellyLIAA Sponsored Artist, 2026 NYSCA Support for Artists Grantee
What Is Fiscal Sponsorship?
Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) offers fiscal sponsorship to support artist-led initiatives, cultural projects, and emerging programs that advance the arts on Long Island.
Fiscal sponsorship allows individuals or groups to operate under LIAA’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status while developing their project or initiative. This structure enables projects to raise funds and pursue opportunities that would otherwise require nonprofit status.
Through fiscal sponsorship with LIAA, projects can:
• Offer tax-deductible donations to supporters
• Apply for grants and funding opportunities limited to nonprofit organizations
• Build credibility and visibility while developing a new initiative
Fiscal sponsorship fees are assessed as a percentage of funds raised, or as defined by the requirements of a specific funding opportunity.
Who Is Eligible?
Fiscal sponsorship is intended for projects whose primary purpose is to support or advance arts and culture.
Sponsored initiatives must:
• Align with the mission of Long Island Arts Alliance
• Take place in, or directly benefit, Nassau or Suffolk County
• Operate in accordance with nonprofit guidelines and charitable purpose
Fiscal sponsorship can be appropriate for artist-led projects, community arts initiatives, festivals, exhibitions, educational programs, or pilot programs exploring whether a new nonprofit should eventually be formed.
Interested in Fiscal Sponsorship?
If you are developing a project and would like to explore fiscal sponsorship, we invite you to submit an inquiry.
Fiscally Sponsored Projects & Initiatives
Current
Jill Skelly — Etched In The Parks
NYSCA Support for Artists
Kelynn Alder — Transport and Transcendence of Ancient and Popular Culture in Mexico and the U.S.
NYSCA Support for Artists
Lisa Petker Mintz — Built by Impulse: Monumental Surfaces in Paint
NYSCA Support for Artists
Paul Rodriguez — The Gotta Be Me Race
NYSCA Support for Artists
Rachel Jungeun Oh — To Leave Without Arrival
NYSCA Support for Artists
Rebecca Castka — The Vanishing Point
NYSCA Support for Artists
Sean Suchara — Drawing Quest
NYSCA Support for Artists
Sydell Glasser — Capacity for Wonder
NYSCA Support for Artists
Vincent Gerardi — The Nostalgic
NYSCA Support for Artists
Previous
Waldo Cabrera — Back In The Spotlight
(Emmy-Award Winning!)
NYSCA Support for Artists
Contact us for more info
Email lauren@longislandartsalliance.org for additional information.