The 2021 Decentralization (DEC) Grant application process is now open for eligible arts organizations and individual artists residing in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton Counties. Artists may submit up to three direct requests of up to $5000 in any combination of two categories: Community Arts and Arts Education projects.

The requirements for submission include reading the guidelines for whichever category you are applying in and attending a free informational seminar with a Grant Coordinator. Seminars will be held online via Zoom between now and January 15. The deadline for the online application process is January 31.

Information about the grants, as well as guidelines and seminar schedules will be available on the region’s DEC website: The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (ALCA).

The Decentralization Grant Program was created to ensure that New York State’s cultural funding would affect the entire state. This year’s application process was pushed back to 2021 to ensure as many artists and organizations as the possible the opportunity to apply. Additional time to assess how the pandemic might affect projects proposed during the coming seasons of 2021 was needed as well.

To sign up for an informational seminar, advance registration by emailing Grant Coordinator Fred Balzac at fred@adirondackarts.org is required (a link will be emailed back). To learn more about applying for a 2021 grant, or for any questions one may have about the Decentralization Grant program overall, please contact Fred at that email address or by phone at 518-588-7275.