NYFA is Made For Artists With the Help From Artists

We would not have accomplished 45 years of great work if it weren’t for you

The New York Foundation for the Arts is turning 45 and, boy, what a ride it has been. Since 1971 we’ve been empowering artists and arts organization from all disciplines and all levels of entrepreneurship. Our goal is to help artists make their art profitable and fulfilling. Being an artist is serious business and that’s why we are here to give them all the tools they need to succeed.  

“The NYFA Fellowship had a massive and incomparable effect on my work. When I got it I quit one of my jobs and spent the extra time working on the novel and a few months later we sold it. I can’t imagine I would have finished it at all had I not had the fellowship. And it was more than financial—that vote of confidence did so much for me.”

Catherine Lacey (Fellow in Fiction ‘12)

A huge part of this work is possible due to the funds raised by our annual Hall of Fame Benefit. This year, the event will take place on April 12 and will honor James Casebere (Fellow in Sculpture ’89, Photography ’85, ’94), Anna Deavere Smith (Fiscally Sponsored Artist ’16), Faith Ringgold (Fellow in Painting ’88), and Zhou Long (Fellow in Music Composition ’00).

“It’s so exciting to open the letter and find out you’ve won a grant: no matter how big it is — and the NYFA grant is no small sum — it really feels like winning the lottery. This grant was particularly special because for the first time, I felt like a part of the greater New York art community; acknowledged by total strangers, other New Yorkers, who chose to support my work with this gift.”

Michelle Handelman (Fellow in Video ’10)

Tickets for the benefit are still available and you can buy them here.

Image: 2015 Fellows’ Party, photo credit: Mara Vlatkovic