Governor Hochul Announces Statewide Artist Fellowship Opportunity

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that applications are open for New York State artists to partner with State agencies to develop innovative engagement for key state initiatives. Launched in 2026 and now entering its second year, The New York State of the Arts Fellowship, administered by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), brings artists and State government together to foster community connection, enhance public spaces and amplify vital public service initiatives.

"By creating space for unique and cross-disciplinary partnerships, the State of the Arts Fellowship will continue to develop original and meaningful approaches to projects and challenges," Governor Hochul said. "I encourage our creative community to apply to this opportunity and serve your fellow New Yorkers with your creativity and innovation."

Guidelines for the program are available at arts.ny.gov/SOAfellow. The deadline is October 21, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Fellows will be announced in early 2027.

The State of the Arts Fellowship will embed selected artists within four State agencies for year-long residencies beginning in early 2027. Artists from all disciplines - including visual, performance, literature, film, and interdisciplinary practices - are invited to apply for this unique opportunity.

The participating agencies are:

• New York State Canal Corporation: the Fellow will interpret and share the ingenuity and innovation of Canal Craft to honor and uplift the generations of canal workers and canal towns to shape the future of the Canal system. (Sites throughout New York State along the Canal corridor; Staff offices in Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany)
• New York State Division Of Human Rights (DHR): the Fellow will give meaningful expression to important dialogues around rights, identity and belonging while also connecting these big ideas to the everyday lives of New Yorkers (New York City/Bronx)
• New York State Homes & Community Renewal (NYSHCR) - State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA): the Fellow will help bridge gaps in awareness and perception around homeownership and connect SONYMA's opportunities with the diverse populations and communities it serves across New York State. (Sites throughout New York State; main offices in Albany and Manhattan)
• New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD): the Fellow will collect, share and interpret the collective memory, lived experience, and archival materials of the Willowbrook State School's former residents and their family members, other stakeholders in the disability rights community, and the public in ways that will engage and resonate with neighbors, students and visitors of the present and future. Timed with the construction and opening of the new Willowbrook Center for Learning. (Albany and Staten Island)

Through a collaborative process, fellows will work closely with State agencies to address pressing issues and implement projects that leave a lasting impact on communities across New York. Fellows will be chosen by the host agency and NYSCA. Award amount per artist fellow is $60,000, inclusive of all project expenses.

New York State Council on the Arts Director Erika Mallin said, "As critical thinkers and thought leaders, artists bring unique perspectives that help us reimagine solutions to our most pressing challenges. The New York State Council on the Arts is proud to lead this important initiative for a second year and bring artists and state agencies together in true creative collaboration."

New York State Council on the Arts Chair Patrick Willingham said, "Artists bring incredible value to government through their unique perspective and creative problem solving, but more importantly they connect us to one another's humanity and invigorate our sense of shared community. The State of the Arts Fellows program is a testament to how creative practices can influence and energize public service and the public realm."

New York State Canal Corporation Director Ben Walsh said, "We're proud to partner with NYSCA on the State of the Arts Fellowship Program to highlight the 'Canal Craft' behind maintaining the New York State Canal System. I've witnessed firsthand the skill and dedication our workforce brings to caring for this historic and still vital waterway. Their ingenuity, craftsmanship and passion define Canal Craft and keep the canals operating safely for all New Yorkers in our third century of continuous operation. I look forward to seeing how an artist interprets this work and fosters greater appreciation and interest in the unique effort and the people who sustain the canal system."

New York State Division of Human Rights Commissioner Denise M. Miranda said, "New York State has long stood as a beacon of progress, pioneering some of the nation's earliest and most robust civil rights protections. But policy accomplishments and legislative victories cannot always capture the full impact of this work. Artistic storytelling possesses a unique, transformative power to translate these milestones into human experiences that we can all relate to and understand. The Division of Human Rights is honored to partner with the New York State Council on the Arts and participate in the 2026-27 State of the Arts Fellowship program, and we look forward to selecting an artist who will bring our state's civil rights legacy to life."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Through the State of New York Mortgage Agency, HCR works to make homeownership more attainable for individuals and families across the state. This fellowship gives us an exciting opportunity to bring a new creative perspective to that work - helping bridge gaps in awareness and perception so that people can better understand the homeownership opportunities available to them. Homeownership can have an impact that extends beyond the individual, creating opportunities for families to build stability and generational wealth. We thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to making New York more affordable and look forward to this innovative partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts."

New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer said, "OPWDD is thrilled to have been chosen by the New York State Council on the Arts to welcome an artist fellow to our team to help shape the vision for the new Willowbrook Center for Learning on Staten Island, a former institution for people with developmental disabilities shuttered more than 50 years ago. The artist's perspective will complement the project's design and purpose as a storyteller for past and future generations and help further New York's goals of community integration and inclusion for all."

State Senator Jose M. Serrano said, "I am thrilled that the State of the Arts Fellowship will continue this incredible collaboration between New York's talented artists and New York State agencies. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, I believe this program provides a valuable opportunity for our creative workforce to bring their unique perspectives and expertise into the public sector. By fostering collaboration across disciplines, we can develop innovative approaches, creative solutions and stronger community engagement."

Assemblymember Ron Kim said, "I commend the New York State Council on the Arts and this year's participating agencies for collaborating with our creative sector to better serve the New Yorkers across the state. I look forward to seeing how these projects will reshape our approach to public service and deepen the connection to the communities we serve."

About the New York State Council on the Arts
The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State's arts, culture, and creativity for all. For FY2027, the Council on the Arts will award $161 million, serving organizations and artists across all 10 state regions. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA's Facebook page, on X, formerly known as Twitter, @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.