NYFA Moving to Dumbo in March

The New York Foundation for the Arts, an organization that facilitates the development of the individual artist throughout the state, is moving to 20 Jay Street in Dumbo, according to their website. Two Trees Management leased out the 7th floor location (11,835 sq.ft.) for 10 years (no word on whether or not their lease was subsidized).

NYFA was established in 1971 by the New York State Council on the Arts. Since 1985, NYFA has supported more than 5,000 artists through merit-based programs, including Artists’ Fellowships, Fiscal Sponsorship, The Catalogue Project, and BUILD. From Wikipedia:

“In 1984, NYFA began overseeing and distributing Artists’ Fellowships along with its public service component, Artists & Audiences. The Fellowship program has since expanded to award direct grants to New York State artists in sixteen disciplines—eight per year on a rotating basis—and has awarded more than $23.9 million to 3,688 artists since the program’s inception. Past recipients include subsequent winners of the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony Award, the Academy Award (Oscar), Guggenheim Fellowships, MacArthur Fellowships, and many other honors. Through NYFA’s grant programs and fiscal sponsorship, more than $6.6 million is now awarded annually to artists and arts organizations.”

The move by NYFA brings another large arts and cultural organization to the neighborhood, and we’re looking forward to seeing some of their projects in the area. Welcome to Dumbo, NYFA!

14 Comment

  • I never bothered to apply for NYFA or most art grants because they aren’t worth the trouble… 23.9 million for 3,668 artist comes out to just over 6k per artist. I think the average award amount has historically been lower.

    If you have all your stuff ready and constantly apply for grants, then it might be worth it, but to get into that kind of workflow it means you aren’t as focused on much better and long term ways of raising money.

    What artists really need is something like backing by venture capital… galleries used to function a little like that… there used to be all kinds of deals. For Pollock’s first show I believe Parsons bought all his work in advance so he could have an operating budget, etc. Strategic relationships lead to better work.

  • I never bothered to apply for NYFA or most art grants because they aren’t worth the trouble… 23.9 million for 3,668 artist comes out to just over 6k per artist. I think the average award amount has historically been lower.

    If you have all your stuff ready and constantly apply for grants, then it might be worth it, but to get into that kind of workflow it means you aren’t as focused on much better and long term ways of raising money.

    What artists really need is something like backing by venture capital… galleries used to function a little like that… there used to be all kinds of deals. For Pollock’s first show I believe Parsons bought all his work in advance so he could have an operating budget, etc. Strategic relationships lead to better work.

  • Many, many years ago I got an emerging artists grant from NYFA or maybe it’s precursor, whatever. It was 2K. I bought a used car and blew the rest on pot. Back then it was understood that you only had a chance of getting money if a critic friend was picked to be on the jury. Those friends would adamantly tell you to apply that year. Short of knowing somebody there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in Hell you would get a grant. Same for federal agencies. I think the difference now is submitting politically correct “art” is necessary besides knowing somebody.
    I presume most of the budget allocated for these agencies is for the salaries of the permanent staff and not actual grants.
    Call me bitter, but am I wrong?

  • Many, many years ago I got an emerging artists grant from NYFA or maybe it’s precursor, whatever. It was 2K. I bought a used car and blew the rest on pot. Back then it was understood that you only had a chance of getting money if a critic friend was picked to be on the jury. Those friends would adamantly tell you to apply that year. Short of knowing somebody there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in Hell you would get a grant. Same for federal agencies. I think the difference now is submitting politically correct “art” is necessary besides knowing somebody.
    I presume most of the budget allocated for these agencies is for the salaries of the permanent staff and not actual grants.
    Call me bitter, but am I wrong?

  • Great, so this douche with the loose poop is a f*ing wannabe never made it artist. Joy.

  • Great, so this douche with the loose poop is a f*ing wannabe never made it artist. Joy.

  • Dear young Angus, if that’s your real name. I never said I didn’t make it as an artist. I’ve done quiet well without living off the government. You sir have a mindset like so many, that says the government controls my balls. Grow some new ones, like the chameleon you are.

  • Dear young Angus, if that’s your real name. I never said I didn’t make it as an artist. I’ve done quiet well without living off the government. You sir have a mindset like so many, that says the government controls my balls. Grow some new ones, like the chameleon you are.

  • Loose stool, is there a thread you DON’T post on?
    Love the 8 year old potty humor name, too.

  • Loose stool, is there a thread you DON’T post on?
    Love the 8 year old potty humor name, too.

  • Dear zzzzzzzzzzz,
    Don’t duel with loose stool,
    he will attack.
    Tear you a new asshole,
    in your back!

  • Dear zzzzzzzzzzz,
    Don’t duel with loose stool,
    he will attack.
    Tear you a new asshole,
    in your back!

  • You’re an idiot.

  • You’re an idiot.