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How NYC's $25 Million City Artist Corps Grants Program Will Work
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 8, 2021
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 8, 2021
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Just over a month ago, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that as part of NYC's post-pandemic recovery, the city will be investing $25 million in the City Artist Corps, a new recovery program aimed at hiring over 1,500 artists to create works throughout the five boroughs this summer and beyond. Today, he finally revealed more info about exactly how this program will work, and how artists can apply to take part in it.
The program, which de Blasio noted was inspired by FDR's New Deal, is meant to help artists who were hit hardest by the pandemic and may have been left out of other local and federal funding opportunities. To that end, the city will distribute one-time $5,000 City Artist Corps Grants to more than 3,000 artists—including musicians, performers, painters, dancers, and more—starting this July. Applications open on Tuesday:
- Applications for the first cycle of funding open on June 8th and close on June 22nd; the second cycle begins July 6th and ends July 20th; and the third cycle starts July 27th and goes through August 10th.
- You can get more information about eligibility and applications on NYFA’s website.
- Note: for all cycles, artists will be screened for eligibility and grant recipients will be selected by lottery
"We want to help [artists], give them work, give them employment and opportunity, but also bring their incredible talents to bear all over the city to bring us back and to bring joy to the people of the city," de Blasio said. "So, City Artist Corps grants, now available to New York City artists...And you're going to help bring the streets in New York City alive with arts and culture this summer."
Artists, who must be over 21, can use the grant to create new work, or re-stage preexisting work or performances across any discipline. Artists will then be deployed across all five boroughs "to interact with the public in all disciplines and artforms." That could include everything from creating a mural on a neighborhood wall to staging a live performance to an in-person art tutorial workshop with community members.
Read More: A Painting From FDR's Program To Get Artists Back To Work
"The talent lent to us by the City Artist Corps will further beautify this place we call home,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “With murals designed by local artists spread throughout the five boroughs and performers permeating our streets with their talent, our city’s recovery will be more palpable and personal than ever before.”
But, wait, that's not all! In addition to the grants, City Artist Corps has two other programs: City Canvas, which will commission 60 artists "to install temporary public murals and other artwork on sidewalk sheds and construction fencing throughout the city’s public housing system." And Summer Rising Mural and Performing Arts Partnerships, which will work with "more than 400 artists at over 200 schools to engage Summer Rising students in collaborative mural making and performing arts activities that enrich summer programming."
Earlier this year, a report from the state's Comptroller's Office found that nearly two-thirds of all arts, entertainment, and recreation jobs disappeared during the pandemic, more than the hotel, restaurant, and movie industries. In addition, a survey by nonprofit organization Americans for the Arts found that 95% of artists have lost income since March 2020.
Tagged
pandemic
culture
open culture
City Artist Corps
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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