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Founder Interview – Stella S.
February 9, 2026
Seed Five
NYC’s Art Investments: A Breakdown
Bethany Vogel
As the publication director of Seed Five, Bethany helps guide the company's written voice and direction. A graduate of Binghamton University, Bethany's external work explores art history's influence in the modern age, along with theology and criticism.
As economic pressures and ambiguity affect the cultural sector, New York is making an unprecedented commitment to its artistic community. Recent funding announcements span every level of government including: state capital investments, the city’s decision to allocate new arts funding in its FY 2026 budget, and borough-specific grant programs supporting individual artists and nonprofits.
State Level
With the present concerns regarding the state of the arts, New York has secured its creative markets and practices with a series of financial contributions. In September, Governor Kathy Hochul secured $80 million in capital funding—this allowance was made available for nonprofit arts and cultural programs through the New York State Council on the Arts Capital Projects Fund (NYSCA). The purpose of this funding, as stated by Governor Hochul, is to maintain New York’s status as “…a global center for tourism” while also developing sustainable projects to better serve the state’s residents.
FY 2026 Capital Projects Funding Grants
City Level
The city’s FY 2026 adopted budget, decreed as the “Best Budget Ever,” invests a “historic” $300 million towards cultural sectors, including museums, zoos, and theaters, per Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor explains that through this funding, other initiatives can also be addressed, such as universal after-school programs, tax cuts for the working class, and making the city more affordable overall.
Ultimately, though, this investment is about more than dollars in a budget…
-MAYOR ERIC EDAMS
The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) was also awarded additional funds through the proposed budget. Mayor Adams increased their baseline funding with an additional $45 million, including an additional $30 million from the aforementioned adopted budget, totaling as $75 million in new investments in the upcoming budget cycle. With these large subsidies, the DCLA can continue providing more long-term support for critical sectors.
Borough-by-Borough Fundings
- Brooklyn
- The Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) announced its 2025 Creative Cohort – 378 artists based in the area will receive a portion of the $1.82 million awarded to the council.
- $1.17 million will be distributed amongst 299 Grantees and the remaining $653,000 will be allocated between 79 teaching artists—showcasing a 7.2% increase in their fundings from 2024.
- The Bronx
- The Bronx Council on the Arts distributes more than $750,000 in grants annually to Bronx artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations. Their programs include:
- Arts Funds – up to $5,000 for individual artists and small organizations
- Community Arts (CA) – $1,000 – $5,000 for larger, community-based projects
- Bronx Cultural Visions Fun (BCVF) – awards up to $20,000 for production grants
- The Bronx Council on the Arts distributes more than $750,000 in grants annually to Bronx artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations. Their programs include:
- Manhattan
- The City Council, based in lower-Manhattan, began the “Support for Arts Instruction Initiative” with an added $3 million budget to ensure students across the city have access to an enriching arts education.
- Queens
- The Queens Arts Fun (QAF) awarded $493,350 in grants for 154 Queens-based artists, art collectives, and small nonprofits in 2025, which was administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts.
NYC Borough Arts Funding Distribution (%)
The historic level of public investment in both arts and culture demonstrates that maintaining and supporting artistic institutions isn’t just about beautification, it’s an economic development strategy ensuring community revitalization, employment opportunities, and sustains New York City’s long-revered cultural identity.
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