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2026 Mid-Sized Arts Grant Support Application for Funding
Monroe County is proud to support our arts and cultural sector.
In the 2026 Monroe County Budget, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello allocated $1,350,000 in mid-sized arts and festival support. More than $400,000 of that was used to support forty-five community festivals, and the remaining funds will be allocated to support mid-sized arts and cultural organizations.
How did Monroe County fund arts previously?
In each of its annual budgets, Monroe County sets aside funds to support arts and cultural organizations. Historically, this money was used to support large arts and cultural organizations, while mid-sized organizations received only a small fraction of the funding.
Past Funding (Fiscal Year 2020):
- Tourism and municipally owned event spaces (Blue Cross Arena/Convention Center) - $5.1 million
- Larger arts, cultural, and educational entities - $1.4 Million
- Mid-sized arts and festival support - $45,000
Fiscal Year 2026
- Tourism and municipally owned event spaces (Blue Cross Arena/Convention Center) - $6,092,500
- Larger arts, cultural, and educational entities - $2,874,000
- Mid-sized arts and festival support - $1,350,000
Who will be eligible for mid-sized arts funding in 2026?
Organizations seeking to apply for FY 2026 mid-sized arts support must meet the following eligibility guidelines:
- The organization must have a significant presence in Monroe County – conducting at least 50% of its operations in Monroe County and maintain a physical location in Monroe County.
- The organization must have been legally recognized for at least one year with a tax filing as a 501(c)3 organization or LLC.
- The organization’s primary mission must be directly related to arts and culture.
- The organization’s annual operating budget (operating expenses) must be between $50,000 and $4,000,000 as verified by tax filings.
Excluded from eligibility are event spaces, sports teams, leagues, tournaments, and other organizations for which arts and cultural programing is not the organization’s primary function.
When is my application due?
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Are Community Festival funding applicants eligible to apply for Mid-Sized Arts funding?
No. Applications for Community Festival Funding were due earlier in the year. Organizations are not eligible to receive funding from both the Community Festival and Mid-Sized Arts programs. It is anticipated that this funding stream will be available for applications again next year. To learn more about community festival funding go here: https://www.monroecounty.gov/festivalfunding.
Can I have a fiduciary organization apply on behalf of my organization?
No – all organizations must have independent legal standing as either a 501(c)3 or LLC.
Will larger arts, cultural, and educational entities need to apply using this funding source?
Organizations that have historically received funding from Monroe County and are specifically named in the Budget will not need to apply for this funding. They will undergo the same process they have in previous years.
Can individual artists apply for this funding?
No. This funding is to support arts and cultural organizations and their operations.
How much money will my organization receive through the mid-sized arts support?
The amount of funding organizations receive depends on factors including number of eligible applicants, evaluation of responses, and funds available. Funding allocations received by organizations in previous years do not necessarily reflect available funding for this year or future years.
What if my organization’s operating budget doesn’t fall within $50,000 - $4,000,000?
Only organizations that have operating budgets that fall within this range qualify for mid-sized arts support. This range has been changed to be more inclusive; previous eligibility ranges included organizations with operating budgets from $100,000 to $1,500,000.
What insurance will I need to receive Mid-Sized Arts Support funding?
Mid-sized arts funding is contingent upon the organization providing proof of general liability insurance, automobile insurance, workers compensation insurance, and disability benefits and paid family leave benefits insurance at the time of application. If selected to receive Mid-Sized Arts Support Funding, all required insurance certificates must be current during the contract process in order to receive funding.
- General Liability Insurance – coverage must include single limits of liability in the amount of $1,000,000 for each occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate coverage. Such coverage is proven by a Certificate of Insurance which can be supplied by your insurance agent.
- Automobile Liability Insurance – coverage must include a $1,000,000 minimum for each occurrence. Such coverage is proven by a Certificate of Insurance which can be supplied by your insurance agent. (If grantee does not own or rent vehicles, then grantee must complete an Insurance Waiver Affidavit included in the application)
- Workers Compensation Insurance – For more information on NYS Workers Compensation insurance go to www.wcb.ny.gov/content/onlineforms/obtainC105.jsp.
- Disability Benefits and Paid Family Leave Benefits Insurance - For more information on Disability Benefits and Paid Family Leave Benefits Insurance forms go to www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/forms/Forms_db_carrier_self_insurer.jsp
If a grantee does not have any employees they must apply for a Certificate of Attestation of Exemption (CE-200) to prove a business is not required to carry New York Workers' Compensation and/or New York Disability and Paid Family Leave Benefits Insurance. The link to apply for the CE-200 is included in the application.
If you have questions regarding this application kindly reach out to [email protected] or 585-753-2050.
If you need assistance filling out this application in a language other than English, you can contact [email protected] for assistance with language accommodation.
