The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) established the Decentralization (DEC) Grant Program in 1977 to ensure that New York State’s cultural funding reaches every part of the state. In 2021, NYSCA rebranded the DEC program as the Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program to better reflect its purpose and goals.
The SCR grant program is designed to expand, promote, and increase arts and cultural programming at the local level. The SCR program provides a link between NYSCA and portions of the community that might not be able to access funding directly from NYSCA by partnering with local arts agencies.
These grants are administered by Arts Services Inc. (ASI) and funded by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to those living in or operating in Erie, Niagara, and Chautauqua counties and the Native nations that share this geography.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
ASI’s SCR grants provide support for community-based arts programs and projects presented by any nonprofit organization, government entity/municipality, tribal nation, or individual in Erie, Niagara, or Chautauqua counties, and the Native nations that share this geography. The SCR program offers grants in three (3) categories:
- Community Arts
- Arts Education
- Individual Artist (Creation of New Work)
Note: Direct applicants of New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), regardless of funding status, are not eligible to apply for SCR grants.
All projects and programs must be completed within the project period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Interested applicants must complete and submit an online application through ASI’s Grant Portal to be considered. See the guidelines below for a complete list of application questions, requirements, and grant eligibility.
2026 TIMELINE
| Applications Open | February 9, 2026 |
| Information Sessions | Early 2026 |
| Deadline for Draft Review | March 11, 2026 |
| Final Application Due | March 25, 2026 |
| Funding Announcements | May 2026 |
Online Grant Portal
All applications must be completed through our online grant portal. ASI’s online grant portal allows you to:
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- Preview the application, where you can review the application questions without creating an account or signing in.
- Begin the application process, where you can save drafts, submit an application, and manage past requests.
Click here to watch a video tutorial on how to create your account.
If you have applied for a grant through ASI in the past, please do not create a new account in the grants portal. If you’ve forgotten your login information or need access to past applications, please email Holly Grant at [email protected].
If you require assistance or access to a computer or internet to complete your application, please contact Holly at 716-833-3004 x512 or [email protected] to set up an appointment or stop by the ASI office.
GUIDELINES
Nonprofits, Government Agencies, Tribal Nations
The below guidelines cover eligibility and requirements for Community Arts and Arts Education grants available to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and tribal nations in Erie, Niagara, and Chautauqua counties, and the Native nations that share this geography.
Requests can be made between $2,500 and $7,500.
Individual Artists and Collectives
The below guidelines cover eligibility and requirements for Community Arts, Arts Education, and Individual Artist grants available to individuals and collectives in Erie, Niagara, and Chautauqua counties, and the Native nations that share this geography.
Requests can be made between $2,500 and $7,500.
INFORMATION AND WORK SESSIONS
At our grant information sessions, ASI’s Grants and Programming Director will review the guidelines and offer grant-writing tips and best practices to help you / your organization prepare your application. ASI also offers technical assistance and professional development opportunities on a year-round basis that often cover a variety of grant-related topics.
Presentation will last approximately 60 minutes followed by an open Q&A.
Additional dates and times may be added.
If you are unable to attend any of these public info sessions, you can click this link to access a pre-recorded info session or set up a one-on-one meeting by contacting Holly at [email protected].
Todas las sesiones informativas serán presentadas en inglés. Por favor avise con anticipación si necesita un traductor.
Drop In Work Sessions
Join ASI’s Grants & Programming Director at one of the following drop-in work sessions to get immediate feedback on your draft, talk through your project, and see examples of successful (and unsuccessful) applications.
| Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm |
Niagara Arts & Cultural Center 1201 Pine Ave, Niagara Falls |
| Friday, March 6, 2026 | 2 pm – 5 pm |
ASI Office 2495 Main St, Suite 401, Buffalo |
| Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm |
Prendergast Library 509 Cherry St, Jamestown |
| Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm |
ASI Office 2405 Main St, Suite 401, Buffalo |
Resources
Erie County Discounted Rehearsal Space Rental
Niagara County Discounted Rehearsal Space Rental
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FUNDING FOR SCR GRANTS PROVIDED BY
ASI’s Statewide Community Regrants program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
