UMEZ Arts Engagement

*2027 Program Guidelines and Application Available Now*

UMEZ Arts Engagement is administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council in partnership with the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation.

UMEZ Arts Engagement is a grant program designed to support Upper Manhattan artists, arts groups, and arts nonprofit organizations in accessing Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) funds for presentations that enhance the diversity and frequency of cultural presentations in Upper Manhattan. Upper Manhattan is home to a remarkable concentration of artists and arts organizations, including one of the largest concentrations of culturally-specific groups in the country, and is defined here as north of 98th Street on the east side of Fifth Avenue; and north of 110th Street on the west side. Through UMEZ Arts Engagement, UMEZ invests in artists and cultural organizations as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen Upper Manhattan neighborhoods, expand access to arts and culture, and support the vitality of the community's creative economy.

UMEZ Arts Engagement invites proposals from artists and arts organizations of diverse disciplines, practices, cultural backgrounds, and career stages that are 1) based in Upper Manhattan and 2) presenting arts projects or programming in Upper Manhattan, making their work more widely available to the public. LMCC will provide funding to projects in the performing, literary, media, and visual arts, ranging from folk/traditional forms to contemporary and socially-engaged artistic practices. Supported activities include concerts, performances, public art installations, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, readings, and more. The program encourages artistic presentations that respond to the current needs of Upper Manhattan’s local communities and amplify the cultural expressions of its diverse population. 

LMCC encourages projects that are generated within and serve communities that may have limited access to art programs, services, or resources due to location, race, language, economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion and disability to apply. LMCC also highly encourages individuals and organizations whose work is rooted in the lived experience of Upper Manhattan’s Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities to apply for funding.

Applications are open for the 2027 Manhattan Arts Grant cycle. Review the guidelines, application, guidelines and FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions (English)

Frequently Asked Questions (Español)

Frequently Asked Questions (普通话)

Past Grantees