Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) Announces 2017 Community Arts Grants

Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) is pleased to announce fall deadlines and summer info sessions for its 2017 Community Arts Grants. BAC Grants, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), New York City Council, the Office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, and NYC & Company Foundation, annually distributes nearly $350,000 to help fund arts and cultural projects across the borough.

Brooklyn-based artists, artist collectives, and non-profit organizations are invited to apply for up to $5,000 to Brooklyn Arts Fund (funded by DCA), or Local Arts Support (funded by NYSCA) to support arts projects in all disciplines occurring in Brooklyn throughout 2017. Destination>Brooklyn, funded by the Office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and NYC & Company Foundation, offers $1,500 awards for the creation, production, and distribution of print promotional materials that represent an organization's artistic and cultural activities with an emphasis on borough tourism. Brooklyn Arts Fund, Local Arts Support, and Destination>Brooklyn grant applications opened Friday, July 15th, 2016, and will close on Wednesday, September 21, 2016.

Registration is now open for BAC Grants Information Sessions, taking place borough-wide from August 1 through August 29, 2016. New applicants and those that have not been funded since 2014 are required to attend. BAC Grants Information Sessions will include an overview of the guidelines and selection criteria for BAC's funding opportunities, including Brooklyn Arts Fund, Destination>Brooklyn and Local Arts Support programs; an explanation of the application process and the online application; a question and answer session; and tips on writing a successful grant application. Attendees will have the chance to meet BAC staff and other applicants. Because our application process has changed, all applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

"BAC is excited to debut a new season of grant support for artists and arts organizations from every Brooklyn zip code," says BAC Executive Director Charlotte A. Cohen. "Our Community Arts Grants are vital to the development and sustainability of arts leaders and cultural groups engaging with our communities in ways that are critically needed in our borough today. We are so proud to partner with NYSCA, DCA, City Council, the Office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, and NYC & Company Foundation, to deliver this support to the artists of Brooklyn."

"BAC Grants annually distributes over a quarter million dollars to the borough's artists, collectives and small organizations," says Grants and Services Director Morgan Lindsey Tachco. "Diverse, groundbreaking creativity is a huge part of what defines our borough, thanks to the work of our local cultural organizations. We're grateful that our funders provide opportunities for these organizations to hone their brands and broaden their reach to the millions of tourists that enjoy our city each year. Brooklyn is the premier international cultural destination - these local organizations are the reason."

For eligibility guidelines and a complete schedule of upcoming grants seminars, as well as application tips and other resources, please visit: brooklynartscouncil.org.

ABOUT BAC'S COMMUNITY ARTS GRANTS PROGRAM

BAC'S Community Arts Grants are made possible through the generous support of the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) in partnership with the New York City Council; and Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and NYC & Company Foundation. Additional support is provided by MetroPlus Health Plan.

ABOUT BROOKLYN Arts Council (BAC)

Now in its 50th year of service, Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) is the borough's leading nonprofit organization supporting artists and cultural groups in all disciplines. BAC reaches hundreds of thousands of artists and Audience members each year through music, dance, film and visual arts programs, web-based directories and communities, arts education, urban folk arts initiatives, grants, training programs and artists services. By creating and supporting exciting cultural events and platforms for Brooklynites, BAC provides forums for critical thinking and self-expression for young people and adults, enriches Brooklyn's cultural landscape, and generates engaging experiences that expand horizons.