The State of New York recognizes that culture is a fundamental facet of life that inspires and enriches quality of life. It is an inherently humanizing resource that should be available to everyone. The New York State Council on the Arts strives to realize these aspirations through grant-making and special initiatives to support artists and cultural organizations.

NYSCA makes over 2500 grants each year to arts organizations throughout the state. In 2007-2008, NYSCA awarded approximately $1.7 million to visual arts organization, $5.4 million to museums, $2.4 million to individual artists and $4.4 million to music programs. The fiscal year 2009 budget for NYSCA is $45.9 million, .04 percent of the $120.8 billion state budget.

These grants stimulate the many diverse arts organizations across the state. In 2005, New York State's nonprofit organizations generated $7.7 billion, which was 30 percent of the total arts industry statewide. This diverse group of nonprofit museums, opera companies, orchestras, theatrical organizations and historical societies provided 55,100 jobs and $2.8 billion in wages that year. In 2004, there were 1,216 nonprofit arts organizations outside New York City. The majority of these groups were small: 53 percent of the organizations outside New York City have total annual budgets of less than $100,000, and 34 percent have budgets of less than $50,000, underscoring the importance of their NYSCA funding.

NYSCA's leadership council comprises 21 individuals who are appointed by the Governor and approved by the State Senate. Council members are appointed to five-year terms. Danny Simmons is currently the interim chair of NYSCA. Heather A. Hitchens serves as the Executive Director of NYSCA.

New York State Council on the Arts
175 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014-4604
(212) 627-4455
Web site: www.nysca.org

Heather Hitchens, Executive Director
(212) 627-4455
hhitchens@nysca.org

Megan White, Deputy Director Programs
(212) 627-8444
mwhite@nysca.org

Matthew Jackson, Public and Governmental Affairs
(212) 627-8686
mjackson@nysca.org

last updated December 8, 2009