Providing grants, programs, and services to the artists and audiences of Tompkins County for 30 years

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All CAP's Grants

CAP has grant programs for Tompkins County artists, and not-for-profits!

 

Final Report Forms for 2025 Grantees

Due 30 days after completion of project or by 12/15/25 at the latest.

GAP Grant, Artist in Community Grant and Arts Education Grant HERE

SOS (Strategic Opportunity Stipend) HERE

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2026 CAP Grants in Summary

(Guidelines and applications for 2026 grants will be posted on this page by late October 2025)

2026 GRANTS FOR ARTS PROGRAMS
     Due: Wed, February 4, 2026, 9pm / January 2026 through January 2027 events

2026 ARTIST IN COMMUNITY GRANT
     Due: Friday, February 6, 2026, 9pm / January 2026 through January 2027 programs or events

2026 ARTS EDUCATION GRANT 
     Due: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 9pm / January 2026 through January 2027 residencies

2026 STATEGIC OPPORTUNITY STIPEND (SOS)   
     Due: Thursday, February 19, 2026, 9pm / January 2026 through February 2027 opportunities  

2027 - 2028 ARTS & CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT (ACOD)
     Next cycle for applications will be at the end of 2026 for 2027 & 2028 grants
 


Grant Workshops and Assistance 

Before You Begin (When 2026 applications are ready by late October), please read the guidelines. 
Then send questions anytime! We can advise, help brainstorm and look at a draft review. 

It is a REALLY GOOD IDEA to contact the Grant Director - Robin Schwartz - with your ideas if you have not applied in the past to see whether you fit the guidelines or for advice about which grant to apply for. For those who have applied before, it's still a good idea. Everyone is welcome to send a draft for Robin to review and possibly make suggestions to help your request rise to the top of the pile.  Even a day before the deadline is acceptable, but you'll get more feedback at least a week before. programs@artspartner.org     

Multiple free grant writing workshops will be held November 2025 through January 2026, both on Zoom and live in Ithaca and town/village libraries. 

Watch a Grant Writing In and Advice Workshop HERE

Recorded Workshop for 2026 Grants
presented by Robin Schwartz, CAP Program & Grant Director
0:00 - Intro & About CAP
2:44 - Synopsis of Part 1, 2, and 3
3:48 - Part One: General Grant Info and Resources
8:35 - Part Two: About CAP's Grants
20:19 - 50:00 Grant Writing Advice! 

PDF Grant Advice Handout HERE

This is a PDF of the above recorded workshop. It can stand alone, but watching the recording (or attending a workshop) provides a great deal more advice, examples and explanations.                                 

 

2026 Grants for Arts Programs (GAP)
 

FOR:
Public arts events in Tompkins County that can include performances (theatre, music, dance), visual art exhibitions, literary events (fiction, poetry, spoken word, creative non-fiction) and artistic films. 

WHO CAN APPLY:
* Tompkins County not-for-profits. (Note: organizations applying directly to NYSCA can not apply.)
* Municipalities or Tribal Nations
* Individual artists (or groups) using a Tompkins County not-for-profit as fiscal sponsor. 

(Image: Lilypad Puppet Theatre, Puppet Runway event)

CAP and FUNDERS MISSION:
* The GAP Grant is part of New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program, along with our Artist in Community Grant, and our Arts Education Grant. SCR makes exemplary arts programming available to geographically, ethnically, and racially diverse segments of the State's population, and to support the continued development of local cultural resources responsive to community cultural needs. 
* CAP applied for and expects at least $200,000 from NYSCA for all three SCR grants.

ABOUT:
* GAP grants are awarded to Tompkins County not-for-profits such as libraries, arts organizations, towns, villages, community centers, and the like, or to Tompkins County individuals or groups using a not-for-profit fiscal sponsor.
* Grants are for professional quality arts projects and events with local artists at the core.
* Funded projects must be open to, accessible to, and actively promoted to the general public of Tompkins County.
* Preference is given to requests that fill community needs and reach diverse Tompkins County cultures and communities.
* The maximum request and award for a GAP grant is $5,000. The maximum request and award from one entity for all three NYSCA grants (GAP, Arts Ed, Artist in Community Grant) is $7,000 (must be for different projects).  
* Applicants can apply for costs directly associated with the project: artist fees, promotion, marketing, space rental, technical assistance. 

DUE DATES FOR 2026 FUNDING:
Due: Wednesday, February 4, 9pm

GRANT MATERIALS
We will post 2026 guidelines and application link by the end of October, 2025

SEE 2024 and 2025 GRANTEES:
Page Link HERE
 

 

2026 Artist in Community Grant (AICG)
 

FOR:
Tompkins County artists to share their work in an immersive way with a local community of their choosing. 

(Image: Ithaca Mural and Southside Community Center mural project)

WHO CAN APPLY:
Tompkins County Artists 

ABOUT:
* The Artist in Community Grant supports Tompkins County artists who work with communities in an immersive and impactful way. Community participation size is a consideration.
* The maximum request and award for an Artist in Community grant is $5,000. The maximum request and award from one entity for all three NYSCA grants (GAP, Arts Ed, Artist in Community Grant) is $7,000 (must be for different projects).  
* CAP applied for and expects at least $200,000 from NYSCA for all three SCR grants.

CAP and FUNDERS MISSION:
* The Artist in Community Grant is part of New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program, along with our GAP Grant, and our Arts Education Grant. SCR makes exemplary arts programming available to geographically, ethnically, and racially diverse segments of the State's population, and to support the continued development of local cultural resources responsive to community cultural needs. 
* CAP applied for and expects at least $200,000 from NYSCA for all three SCR grants.

DUE DATES FOR 2026 FUNDING:
Due: Friday, February 6, 9pm for January 2026 through January 2027 events

GRANT MATERIALS
We will post 2026 guidelines and application link by the end of October, 2025

SEE 2024 and 2025 GRANTEES:
Find Page Link HERE
 

 

 2026 Arts Education Grant 
 

FOR:
Artist residencies in K-12 public schools, after school programs, or closed student groups at community organizations

WHO CAN APPLY:
* Tompkins County Artists
* Tompkins County Arts Organizations, Municipalities, Cultural Organizations

ABOUT:
* Weaving the arts into K-12 core curriculum. as well as teaching youth new artistic skills and abilities, is at the core of this Arts Education grant. 
* Art instruction (visual, dance, music, theatre, literary…) helps children with the development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, creative problem solving, inventiveness.
* Arts Education funds are designed to assist artists in developing and implementing artist residencies in school during the school day, or after.
* The grant can also fund K-12 education in closed groups at cultural organizations or community centers.
* Artists need to meet with the same group of students at least 3 times to teach them an art form. The students must also create something from their own imaginations as part of the residency.
* Partnerships with non-art teachers is required for in-school programs. Residencies must be in regular classrooms. Students can not be self selected or appointed.  
* The maximum request and award for a GAP grant is $5,000. The maximum request and award from one entity for all three NYSCA grants (GAP, Arts Ed, Artist in Community Grant) is $7,000 (must be for different projects).  

CAP and FUNDERS MISSION:
* The Arts Education Grant is part of New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program, along with our Artist in Community Grant, and our GAP Grant. SCR makes exemplary arts programming available to geographically, ethnically, and racially diverse segments of the State's population, and to support the continued development of local cultural resources responsive to community cultural needs. 
* CAP applied for and expects at least $200,000 from NYSCA for all three SCR grants.

DUE DATES FOR 2026 FUNDING:
Due: Tuesday, February 10, 9pm for January 2026 through January 2027 events or programs

GRANT MATERIALS
We will post 2026 guidelines and application link by the end of October 2025

 

SEE 2024 and 2025 GRANTEES:
Page Link HERE

 

2026 Strategic Opportunity Stipend (SOS)
 

FOR:
Funding for individual artist's career opportunities worldwide. 

WHO CAN APPLY:
* Tompkins County Artists 

ABOUT:
Strategic Opportunity Stipends (SOS) is a grant opportunity which gives Tompkins County artists with a consistent recent record of producing art the opportunity to take advantage of a very specific and strategic opportunity that will take their career to the next level. 

(Image: Stringpuller puppets creator Linda Wingerter)

FUNDERS
* Funding for SOS comes from both a local private foundation, and the Tompkins Today and Tomorrow Fund & Maralyn W. Fleming Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County. 
* CAP will have at least $23,000 to distribute. 

DUE DATES FOR 2026 FUNDING:
Due: Wednesday, February 19, 9pm for January 2026 through January 2027 residencies

GRANT MATERIALS
We will post 2026 guidelines and application link by the end of October, 2025

SEE 2024 and 2025 GRANTEES:
Page Link HERE

 

Arts & Cultural Organizational Development (ACOD) 

 

Contact: Megan Barber - Executive Director, Community Arts Partnership
607-273-5072, director@artspartner.org

* The ACOD grant is on a two-year cycle. The 2025 & 2026 cycle is closed. Pre-applicant forms for 2027 & 2028 will be due in October of 2026. Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria in the pre-application will be invited to submit full applications, which will be due in December 2026. 

* ACOD grants support organizations that enhance Tompkins County’s brand as an artistic and cultural destination. The grants provide general operating support to local public museums and performing/visual arts organizations.

* Organizations interested in applying may contact Megan (see above) Grant guidelines and application instructions will be available at www.tompkinscountyny.gov/tourism/grants


 

Grantees: Download CAP Logos

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CAP's NYSCA Grants are 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.