BROOME, CHENANGO & OTSEGO
STATEWIDE COMMUNITY REGRANTS PROGRAM (SCR)

2026 Guidelines

Deadline: March 13, 2026

Earlville Opera House (EOH) and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) are pleased to announce the 2026 Statewide Community Regrants Program (SCR) available in Broome, Chenango and Otsego counties. Grants are available for not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and Tribal Nations, as well as individual artists or artist collectives. A total of $124,500 is available for projects taking place beginning April 1, 2026 through the first quarter of 2027. 

The 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. Additional support for Broome County grantees is provided by the Stewart W. and Willma C. Hoyt Foundation. 

 Grant Webinars 

Webinar participation is encouraged but not required. Webinar registration is required. Contact the Program Director to receive the Zoom link at victoria.kappel@earlvilleoperahouse.com

• Thursday, January 29, noon  COMPLETED 

• Wednesday, February 4, 1 pm COMPLETED 

• Tuesday, February 10, 2 pm COMPLETED

• Thursday, February 12, 3 pm Individual Artists only 

• Friday, February 20, 2 pm All applicants welcome 

• Saturday, February 21, noon All applicants welcome 

• Monday, February 23, 4:30 pm All applicants welcome 

Full Guidelines BELOW!

2026 Statewide Community Regrants Guidelines 

Grant cycle timeline

An Intent to apply form is required prior to applying.

• An Intent to Apply form is required prior to applying. CLICK HERE.

• The Grant Portal will open February 2, 2026. CLICK HERE. You must register for a Submittable account if you do not already have one.  

• Grant Webinars - Dates are listed below and on the EOH website. Webinars will be offered online in both group and one-on-one formats, with specialized formats for first-time applicants and Individual Artists. Webinar participation is encouraged but not required. Registration is required. Contact the Program Director to register and receive the Zoom link at victoria.kappel@earlvilleoperahouse.com.

  • Thursday, January 29, noon  All applicants welcome 

  • Wednesday, February 4, 1 pm New applicants only 

  • Tuesday, February 10, 2 pm All applicants welcome 

  • Thursday, February 12, 3 pm Individual Artists only 

  • Friday, February 20, 2 pm All applicants welcome 

  • Saturday, February 21, noon All applicants welcome 

  • Monday, February 23, 4:30 pm All applicants welcome 

• Applications will be accepted February 2, 2026 through March 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm. NOTE: Pre submission reviews end March 6, 2026. THIS IS A FIRM DATE. 

• Peer Review Panel meets to review applications April 2026. 

• EOH Board of Directors ratifies panel recommendations April 2026.  Grant notifications and contracts will be sent after. Please note: Grant checks will be sent when New York State Council on the Arts releases the grant funds. 

• 2026 Funded Projects MUST take place April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027. Please note: Grant checks may not be sent until mid-2026, due to New York State Council on the Arts timing. Plan your project and budget accordingly. 

• Final Reports are due within 30 days of project end.

PLEASE NOTE 

The maximum funding request in the Community Art category is $4000; the minimum request is $500. No match is required. Individual Artist Grants are offered in the amount of $1500 per commission. There is no match required. 

Previous SCR funding does not ensure support in any succeeding year. Each application is reviewed anew in the context of current program priorities, review criteria and resources available. 

AVAILABLE GRANTS 

COMMUNITY ARTS (CA) GRANTS: 

CA grants provide support for arts and cultural projects to community-based organizations, groups, collectives, and artists. Individual artists must apply for a CA grant for a community-based project in partnership with a local nonprofit organization. CA support enables emerging artists and organizations to grow professionally and to enhance the cultural climate in communities and neighborhoods where they live and operate. CA grants provide support to develop, foster, promote, enhance, and increase community arts that address current cultural needs in Broome, Chenango and Otsego counties. All funded projects in this category must be community based and open to the general public. 

CA grants may include, but are not limited to exhibitions, workshop series, performances, festivals, screenings, readings, and virtual programming.   

Eligible Applicants 

• A 501(c)(3) or New York State non-profit organization with an active board of trustees either incorporated in NY State or registered to do business in NY State 

• A government or quasi-governmental entity, or tribal organization  

• Individual artists, groups or collectives, and unincorporated entities who are working with a community-based non-profit partner are eligible 

• Lead applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of submission and may not be enrolled in a full-time degree program  

• Projects must take place in the same county as the community-based partner

• Please see complete applicant eligibility under Eligibility.  

A community-based non-profit partner is only required to provide a letter of commitment confirming the partnership with the applicant and outlining the scope of the partnership and each partner’s investment or contribution (in-kind and/or cash) towards the proposed project. 

INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTS (IA) 

Individual Artist Grants offer commissioning support to individual professional artists for the creation of a new work in a community setting. This regrant opportunity represents a “live & work” investment in local artists. It is designed to increase support for local artist-initiated activity and to highlight the role of artists as important members of the community.

Community Engagement 

An essential element of this funding is a community engagement component. The project must engage a segment of the community through a public program, such as an exhibition or performance that is open to the public, and/or the inclusion of community involvement in the development and creative process of the artists’ project. This can be in the form of feedback, response, interaction and/or social practice by or with community members. Some examples of this type of interaction are interviews with a segment of the community, creation of parallel work by a community group, or stories and anecdotes collected from a community group that relate to the concept or content of the project.

Individual Artist Grants are offered in the amount of $1500 per commission. There is no match required. For 2026, Individual Artists who received funding during the 2025 Grant Cycle will not be eligible to apply.

Eligible applicants 

Artists apply directly for the Individual Artists Category. 

• Applicants/artists must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. Current direct NYSCA applicants may not apply for any SCR regrants.

NYS Residency Requirement 

Individual Artist applicants must be current New York State residents and must be a resident in the county where their proposed project will take place. Proof of residency is required. All documents must contain the individual’s name and address and documentation must be dated no earlier than two years prior to an application.

List of acceptable proof of residency documents must include one of the following: 

• Telephone Bill 

• Credit card or bank statement (first page only; social security and financial information should be blocked) 

• Current lease or mortgage agreement listing the artist’s name and NYS County address 

• NY State Driver’s License or ID card 

• Voter Registration Card

Artists must be 18 years of age at the time of application. Student projects are not eligible for support.

ELIGIBILITY

In addition to the guidelines listed for each category, applicants must meet certain requirements to be considered for Statewide Community Regrants funding, including: 

• The legal address of an applicant must lie within the SCR service area of Broome, Chenango, or Otsego County. The funded activity must take place within the same county as the applicant’s legal address. Documentation will be required on the SCR application form. 

• P.O Boxes may be accepted as a mailing address, but a P.O. Box alone does not necessarily meet the address requirement. An applicant must provide proof of residence in Broome, Chenango, or Otsego County.  

• All non-profit organizations must provide proof of non-profit status. The following documentation may be accepted: 

  • Letter of Determination from the IRS indicating tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) and registration with the NY State Charities Bureau 

  • Documentation of charter by the NY State Board of Regents under section 216 of the NY State Education Law 

  • Documentation of incorporation under Section 402 of the NY State Not-for-Profit Corporation Law 

  • Current NY State Bureau of Charities (Office of the Attorney General) filing receipt 

  • Official authorization as an arm of local government (i.e., a formal letter on official stationery signed by the appropriate county, city, town or village executive) 

  • Authorization as a federally recognized Tribal Nation 

    • SCR sites can accept applications from Tribal Nations located anywhere in New York State, regardless of county. 

    • SCR sites may work with applicants from Tribal Nations to identify appropriate documentation to show association with the Tribal Nation.

• Additional eligible applicants include: 

  • A group that is incorporated in another state as a not-for-profit corporation, registered with the NY State Secretary of State as a “foreign not for profit corporation” with its primary location in the regrant region and registered with the Charities Bureau. 

• Individual artists may only apply under their own name, using their own SSN. An artist’s incorporation or establishment of a limited liability company (LLC) or limited liability partnership (LLP) is not disqualifying, however, an artist is only eligible for SCR funding for a commission they propose to undertake in their individual capacity.

The following entities and individuals are not eligible to apply for Statewide Community Regrants funding: 

• New York State agencies and departments (including SUNY schools) and 402 foundations 

• Public universities, colleges; and public, private, or parochial secondary and elementary schools 

• SCR site Staff or Board members (see Conflict of Interest section) 

• Unincorporated applicants without an eligible sponsor or partner organization (Exception: Individual Artist category) 

• Non-incorporated chapters of organizations whose “parent” is incorporated outside of the SCR site’s service area 

• Past re-grantees that have failed to submit final reports 

• Students enrolled in a full-time degree program 

• An individual or group that is a business corporation, limited liability company (LLC) or limited liability partnership (LLP), or incorporated as a 501c4s and 501c6 including applicant of such type submitted by a fiscal sponsor

Direct NYSCA applicants may not apply for SCR funding and cannot serve as community-based partners.

Additional considerations for working with direct NYSCA applicants: 

• A SCR applicant may hire or “book” a NYSCA-grantee for a service with a paid fee. 

• A NYSCA applicant may offer their venue gratis to a SCR-funded project. The SCR grantee may pay for any direct costs related to use of the venue such as custodial, however:  

• The NYSCA grantee must not handle box office or ticketing  

• The NYSCA grantee must not profit or benefit from the SCR program (i.e. ticket sales, donations, etc.) 

• The program must not be advertised as part of the NYSCA grantee’s season/programming but may be included on the NYSCA grantee’s website and marketing as a “NYSCA SCR-supported project”.

Project Eligibility 

Statewide Community Regrants funds are unable to support the following types of projects: 

• Projects which do not take place within the same county as the applicant’s legal address 

• Start-up or seed funding for the establishment of a new organization 

• General operating expenses 

• Student projects 

• Events that take place in private residences and are not open to the public 

• Community Arts regrants may not fund activities that are not open to the general public such as camps, clubs or college associations 

• Non-arts related activity including: 

• Galas, benefits or fundraising events including entertainment costs for receptions, food or fundraising 

• Entertainment such as balloons, clowns, magicians, “sip and paint” 

• Projects that are primarily recreational, therapeutic, rehabilitative or religious in nature including at-risk/social service programs when the purpose is for rehabilitation, therapy or worship

Eligible Expenses 

Statewide Community Regrants funds can fund the following expenses: 

• Activities/Projects of local arts organizations including both live and virtual activities  

• Artist fees 

• Marketing/publicity costs 

• Direct administrative expenses and/or planning and preparation expenses for a proposed event 

• Supplies and materials needed to execute the proposed project. Items may not exceed $1,000. Examples: art supplies, sheet music, hardware, memory cards, and other consumable equipment.

Ineligible expenses 

Statewide Community Regrants funds are unable to fund the following expenses: 

• Requests greater than an applicant's project expenses minus total project income 

• Operating expenses of privately-owned facilities (e.g. homes and studios) 

• Acquisition of works of art 

• Contingency funds 

• The purchase of permanent equipment and capital improvements  

• Creation of textbooks or classroom material 

• Lobbying expenses 

• Regrants by applicants to fund other activities 

• Cash prizes, juror fees, fellowships, educational scholarships or other awards to students 

• Fees paid to children under the age of 18. 

FUNDING PRIORITIES 

Community Arts Grants 

• Artist fee support 

• Production costs 

• Marketing costs 

• Administrative costs 

• Projects that promote and celebrate diversity 

• Public Art 

Individual Artist Grants 

• Artist fees 

REVIEW CRITERIA 

   Review panels consist of community representatives reflecting the artistic, geographic and demographic ranges of Broome, Chenango and Otsego counties.  The panel will evaluate applications according to the following criteria (not in any order): 

• Creativity, including a clear artistic vision and well-designed programming 

• A public service benefit generated by the project that demonstrates an understanding of and connection to their community 

• Clearly defined, planned objectives and the demonstrated ability to achieve those objectives through an assessment component 

• Organization/artist history, including stability, record of achievement and fiscal accountability 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 

• All applicants are encouraged to attend an applicant webinar prior to applying. Dates are posted above. Application webinars are offered on Zoom. Individual assistance is also available by request. 

• All applicants intending to apply for 2026 funding must notify the Earlville Opera House by submitting HERE. 

• A voluntary pre-submission review of applications is available and strongly recommended through March 6, 2026. After this date, applicants may no longer request a pre-submission review.    

• All applications must be submitted through Submittable, an online platform. Instructions on access and use are available above and during the information webinars. 

• Applications must be submitted by Friday, March 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. through Submittable. No exceptions are allowed.

WORK SAMPLES 

An artistic work sample is a critical component of your application. Prepare a well-organized presentation that showcases your proposed project. Submit samples of work created and/or presented within the past three years.  

Do not submit edited promotional or interview materials. 

Work Samples must be uploaded and submitted through the online application portal. There are no exceptions to the deadline.

WORK SAMPLE FORMATS 

Submit samples of past and current work through the online application form in ONE of the following formats, based on the discipline or form of your projects.

Performing Arts, Film, Media, and Other Time-Based Projects 

Upload recordings: 2 maximum 

Submit up to two (2) recordings of past/current works or projects in performing / media / music / film / other time-based art forms. 

• Submit up t0 (2) recording. MP4 video files, MP3 audio files or weblinks to clips hosted on external sites. 

Note: The selection panel will view each recording for up to 2.5 minutes. However, we encourage you to submit full-length work, if possible. Provide a cue point for any work sample that is longer than three (3) minutes total. 

Literary Projects 

Upload manuscripts: 10 pages maximum 

• Submit samples no longer than ten (20) pages of scripts, poetry or prose. 

• Submit one (1) document in PDF. 

Visual Arts Projects 

Upload images: 10 maximum 

• Submit a maximum of ten (10) digital images in PDF or JPEG

RESPONSIBILITIES OF GRANT RECIPIENTS 

• Sign a contract. An awards ceremony will be scheduled pending receipt of NYSCA funds.

• Properly credit grant funding on publicity and press materials. Acknowledgment should include the Earlville Opera House logo, and be accompanied by thanks to NYSCA using the following credit line: 

“This (event, project, program) is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Earlville Opera House” 

• The NYSCA logo is not to be used by SCR regrant recipients. 

• SCR grantees may use #NYSCA on social media posts to promote their projects though this is not a requirement. 

• Broome County recipients only, if applicable, must use both the previous credit line as well as crediting the Hoyt Foundation in the following manner:

“Additional support for the Broome SCR Program graciously provided by the  

Stewart W. and Willma C. Hoyt Foundation, Inc.” 

• Credit line information and logos are available on the EOH website 

• Attend another grant recipient’s event and submit an audit report describing that event to Earlville Opera House.   

• Provide two complimentary tickets OR LINK to the funded event IF VIRTUAL so that an auditor may attend (unless the event is free). 

• Submit a Final Report due 30 days after the completion of the funded project, including copies of promotional and advertising materials regarding the project. Final Reports are submitted through the Submittable platform.

APPEAL PROCESS 

As part of the funding process, an applicant may appeal the funding decision. The following are valid grounds for appeal.

Grounds for Appeal

(1) Non-presentation of significant and pertinent information by staff or panelist 

(2) Misrepresentation of significant and pertinent information by staff or panelist 

(3) Improper procedure 

Denial of an award or dissatisfaction with the grant amount is not eligible grounds for appeal nor should the appeal process be viewed as a second chance for funding. 

Process

The applicant organization must contact the SCR Coordinator within five to seven business days of receipt of the denial letter to receive application feedback by phone.  

The SCR Coordinator will have a conversation regarding the decision by the panel. If the applicant decides to pursue an appeal following the conversation, they will submit a letter addressed to the Executive Director of Earlville Opera House, copied to the SCR Coordinator, citing the specific reason/s for appealing the panel’s decision. This must take place within five days of the initial phone call or in-person conversation.

A special panel of at least three new panelists will be formed. These panelists will have knowledge of the arts and the regrant process. Panelists who served for the grant cycle in question will not be allowed to sit on an appeals panel.

The Executive Director will then schedule a meeting to examine the appeal. If the appeal has merit based on the stated grounds, not the quality of project, it is then sent to a sub-committee comprised of the Earlville Opera House Board of Directors for reevaluation. The appeals process is not a reevaluation of the project. Decisions are made based on grounds for appeal. 

If the appeal is successful, and the Board of Directors determines that the request deserves support under the evaluative criteria, it is funded with SCR regrant funds withheld at the beginning of the cycle. Funding of an application which has been appealed and subsequently approved is contingent upon availability of funds.