Kristin Herron, Program Director, kherron@nysca.org
Fabiana Chiu-Rinaldi, Program Officer, fchiu@nysca.org

Museum Program support advances museums and related professional service organizations. NYSCA funding for arts and cultural activities underscores the belief that clear planning and direction fosters stronger institutions, and that partnerships and collaboration can help broaden an organization's perspective and assist in better serving the public. Priority is given to projects that make the arts and culture relevant to contemporary life, that demonstrate responsiveness to diverse visitors and communities, and that provide opportunities for museums to engage with living artists.

Applicants are encouraged to contact NYSCA staff before the deadline.

Definitions

A museum is generally defined as an organization that exists for educational and aesthetic purposes. It owns and cares for – or uses and interprets – objects and/or a site for the public presentation of regularly scheduled programming and exhibitions. Museums follow accepted professional standards, such as those developed by the American Association of Museums. In New York State, most museums must be chartered through the New York State Museum Chartering Program.

For NYSCA application purposes, the term "museum" includes historic houses and sites, and does not generally include organizations that primarily manage living collections. Such organizations should consult New York State’s Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums Program (ZBGA), which is part of the Natural Heritage Trust.

Prerequisites

Museums must have been open to the public for a minimum of one year prior to the deadline.

Museums must provide services to the public for a minimum of 120 days per year by the deadline. Organizations open to the public by appointment only do not meet this requirement.

Evaluative Criteria

Grant requests are evaluated in accordance with agency-wide criteria.

Programmatic Evaluation

The Council must be able to evaluate an applicant's programmatic quality on an ongoing basis. It is the responsibility of all current and prospective applicants to inform staff of exhibitions and other public programs well in advance of the event date. This is required so that staff, and/or advisory panelists may attend and evaluate the events.

Email notification is welcome and may be sent to mum@nysca.org.

NYSCA believes in honoring aesthetic and artistic excellence that reflects creative diversity without cultural boundaries and an evaluation process that embraces the widest spectrum of cultural expression offered to the public, in a broad array of settings and contexts -- from classrooms and community centers, to parks and open spaces, to more traditional venues. NYSCA celebrates artistic pluralism and welcomes requests from organizations serving all of the communities that make up New York State. These include the physically challenged, immigrants and other communities with special needs.