ArtsWestchester Project Support Grant

ArtsWestchester, a long-standing cultural leader in Westchester County, New York, has launched a new funding initiative called Arts Access – Support for Organizations. This program represents an expansion of the organization's commitment to advancing cultural equity and access by providing financial assistance specifically to Westchester-based organizations. Funded by Westchester County government and supported by County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins and the Board of Legislators, the Arts Access grant is designed to address feedback from the local arts and culture sector regarding funding gaps and accessibility. The program aims to support a wide range of cultural organizations, including emerging and established entities that contribute to the rich cultural landscape of the region. Arts Access builds upon ArtsWestchester’s broader grantmaking framework, which serves both Westchester and Rockland Counties, and supports a diverse array of cultural activities and individual artists. This specific funding opportunity is focused on organizational support within Westchester County. It is geared towards fostering sustainability, expanding programming, and increasing access to cultural resources across geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic lines. The program's design reflects a commitment to inclusivity, equity, and responsiveness to community needs, and seeks to ensure that all residents of Westchester have the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts. The Arts Access grant is open to Westchester-based organizations engaged in cultural work. While the guidelines and application portal are expected to launch during the week of March 23, 2026, applicants are encouraged to engage early and participate in informational sessions. The first confirmed info session will take place online via Zoom on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 1pm, with registration required to receive the link. Additional sessions are planned, though their details are pending announcement. These sessions aim to clarify application procedures and answer questions from potential applicants. Applicants must complete their submissions by the final application deadline of Wednesday, May 6, 2026. At the time of publication, no pre-application requirements such as Letters of Intent or concept papers have been specified, simplifying the submission process. However, organizations should closely monitor the application portal for further updates to the process, especially when the guidelines are published. Contact with the grantmaking team is encouraged for questions, with inquiries directed to [email protected]. Evaluation of applications will be conducted by panels composed of both arts professionals and knowledgeable laypeople. ArtsWestchester emphasizes impartiality and diversity in its panel selection, aiming to reflect a broad spectrum of artistic and cultural viewpoints as well as geographic and ethnic representation. Potential panelists are drawn from a nominated pool of county residents and industry colleagues, though selection is not guaranteed. Panelists will assess proposals based on artistic excellence, community impact, and organizational merit. Applicants and nominators alike are advised to review ArtsWestchester's panelist expectations and diversity commitments. The organization is headquartered at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY, and can be reached at (914) 428-4220 for further support. Award notifications, project timelines, and performance periods were not detailed in the current announcement and may be outlined once the full guidelines are released. This program does not mention recurrence, though its alignment with County support may suggest potential for future cycles pending outcomes and funding availability.