About the Program
The Manhattan Community Arts Fund (MCAF) was established in 1983 as part of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund. LMCC administers MCAF for the borough of Manhattan. The program provides local seed grants for individual artists, collectives and small arts organizations to bring high-quality arts projects to Manhattan communities. The program supports projects and activities that will enable the public to directly experience and engage with the arts.
An MCAF grant is often one of the first grants an artist or group receives, and can help grant recipients to leverage financial support from other sources. Each year, the program awards over $230,000 to support over 120 arts projects, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings and more.
How MCAF Works
MCAF makes grants ranging from $750 to $5,000 to Manhattan-based non-profit organizations and individual artists. The program supports arts projects with a public component that is accessible to and engages Manhattan communities. Individual artists may apply directly to MCAF without a fiscal sponsor.
Program Goals
MCAF is designed to support and develop the capacity of individual artists and small arts and cultural organizations to 1) develop high quality local arts projects and programming and 2) contribute to Manhattan communities by providing opportunities for the public to experience and engage with the arts. Emphasis is placed on the quality and artistic merit of proposed projects and the depth and authenticity of community experience, participation and engagement.
Competitive projects will demonstrate thoughtful project planning, experienced and appropriate project personnel and planned project income in the form of cash and other means of support. MCAF and LMCC strongly support the payment of artist fees and opportunities for artists to develop and lead community projects. MCAF seeks to increase access to arts and cultural activities in neighborhoods throughout Manhattan.
LMCC expects that applicants will be able to identify the audiences and community they wish to reach and that project activities will reflect a relationship with or understanding of that audience or community. Projects should include clear and realistic plans to promote the project widely and reach the public. The program encourages projects that provide the public with rich arts experiences as demonstrated by: opportunities to experience the arts; participate in artistic inquiry and creation; present or perform works; and engage with artists and/or dialogues about the arts.
Application Assistance
Information Sessions
Get an overview of Manhattan Community Arts Fund and learn about the components of a well-prepared application. First-time applicants and applicants who have not attended an information session since 2009 are required to attend. For dates and locations: http://www.lmcc.net/grants/info_sessions
Staff Assistance Available!
If you have trouble filling out the Online Application Form or have questions about MCAF, LMCC staff are available to assist you in person or on the phone. Contact: Prachi Patankar, Program Manager, at mcaf@lmcc.net or 212-219-9401 x117.
Application Deadline: September 13, 2012
Information Sessions
Get an overview of Manhattan Community Arts Fund and learn about the components of a well-prepared application. First-time applicants and applicants who have not attended an information session since 2009 are required to attend. For dates and locations: http://www.lmcc.net/grants/info_sessions
Staff Assistance Available!
If you have trouble filling out the Online Application Form or have questions about MCAF, LMCC staff are available to assist you in person or on the phone. Contact: Prachi Patankar, Program Manager, at mcaf@lmcc.net or 212-219-9401 x117.