Latest News
posted January 8, 2026
Read our most recent ArtsLetter!
Its full of news, opportunities, events and more here!
Special thanks to our ArtsLetter sponsor, Visions Federal Credit Union
posted January 14, 2026
CAP was awarded $317,300 from NYSCA to support local arts/artists!
This funding is part of New York State Council on the Arts $80.9 million investment in nonprofits across all 10 regions of New York State, as well as a historic number of individual artists receiving direct support. CAP is thrilled to be among this year’s recipients!
Support for CAP and Regrant Funding in Tompkins County
CAP received $49,500 to support its organizational operations, along with $267,800 to administer NYSCA’s Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) Program in Tompkins County which includes $208,844 to be regranted through three CAP-managed grant programs: Grants for Arts Programs, Arts Education grants, and Artist in Community grants.
Representing an increase over the previous year’s funding, these grants support cultural organizations and municipal arts events, K-12 arts learning and artist-in-community programs.
Support for Artists Grants
In addition to regrant funding, CAP served as fiscal sponsor for two Tompkins County artists who will each receive a $10,000 NYSCA “Support for Artists” grant:
Sorayya Khan for her novel Compass Rose, an unexpected story of migration and love, Compass Rose: A Novel spans post World War 2 Netherlands and communist purges in Indonesia two decades later.
Brian Arnold for an interactive photographic exhibition, Identity, Memory, and Place, designed to engage the Bosnian immigrant community living in Utica, NY, in collaboration with the Bosnian American Community Association.
From New York State Officials
“New York’s arts and culture sector is a cornerstone of the state’s identity, and we're making bold investments to ensure it remains strong,” Governor Hochul said. “These grants will lift up artists and organizations in every region, fueling local economies and expanding access to the arts. Congratulations to all the grantees – your talent and dedication help power New York’s future.”
New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Erika Mallin said, “During these challenging times, the New York State Council on the Arts has been a stalwart and innovative funder. These grants will serve artists and organizations in every region and county, fueling our economy and serving our communities. We know this support isn’t just an investment in the arts; it’s an investment in New York’s future. Congratulations to the Community Arts Partnership and thank you for your perseverance, your creativity, and your tireless service to New York State.”
New York State Council on the Arts Chair Patrick Willingham said, “With the unwavering support of Governor Hochul and our Legislature, the Council is proud to congratulate this year’s grantees, whose collective efforts strengthen and benefit us all. I also want to recognize the work of NYSCA’s panelists, staff, and the entire Council, whose dedication has ensured that this critical support will reach every corner of New York State.”
posted January 8, 2026
Ithaca is Recognized for Sustained Arts-Vibrancy in this Decade!
This is exciting news for Ithaca and a testament to the hard work of many people in our community!
SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, released its 10th annual ranking of the most arts-vibrant communities in the United States, which identifies Ithaca, NY as number 6 in the list of 100 core based statistical areas for 2025. Ithaca is also recognized as a community frequently mentioned in the rankings in the last five years, demonstrating sustained arts vibrancy in the post-covid era. The rankings are based on SMU DataArts’ Arts Vibrancy Index (AVI), which is developed through a data-driven approach that analyzes the level of supply, demand, and government support for the arts using data available in more than 900 communities across the country.
“It is gratifying for the hard work of so many people to be recognized in this way,” says Megan Barber, Executive Director of the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County. “Our community didn’t achieve this ranking by accident. We achieved it because of the artistry of our creative workforce, the commitment of our arts supporters, and the passion of our audiences. We should all be proud.”
The Index reflects fluctuations in arts activity, participation, funding, access and employment that occurs in each community and consistently shows that highly arts-vibrant communities are dispersed broadly throughout the U.S., with every region of the country represented in the top rankings. This finding arises naturally out of objective analysis of the data, not from any selection of communities to achieve geographic representation. From Ohio to Colorado, New York to Alaska, arts vibrant communities recognize regional artistic diversity and community success.
To mark the 10th anniversary of AVI, SMU DataArts has expanded the list to 100 communities—up from 40 in previous years. In addition to identifying the top arts-vibrant communities, the research center has analyzed and ranked all 50 states. Findings from the state-level analysis shows New York as the reigning #1 titleholder for the third consecutive year. To delve into the details and visualize community and state index data in depth, visit the data explorer.
“The Arts Vibrancy Index has shone a light on the people, organizations, and investments that make local culture vibrant for the last 10 years,” stated Dr. Jennifer Benoit-Bryan, Executive Director of SMU DataArts. “By expanding our list to one hundred geographically diverse communities, we celebrate the top 10 percent of arts-vibrant communities nationwide. Through all the ups and downs of the last decade, communities have continued to celebrate and invest in their local arts, and the index has provided data-backed insights to inform planning, advocacy, and well-deserved recognition. We look forward to building on this history as this resource evolves with the sector going forward.”
The Arts Vibrancy Index is composed of 13 unique measures which cover aspects of supply, demand, and public support for arts and culture, and are adjusted for cost of living and population differences among communities. For more information on how the Arts Vibrancy Index is calculated, metrics, data sources, more detail on specific communities and the data explorer, please visit https://culturaldata.org/arts-vibrancy-2025.
posted January, 2025
Thank you to our supporters, sponsors, and friends for a powerful 2025!
To strengthen the arts in Tompkins County by supporting artists and arts groups, ensuring equitable access to the arts, and cultivating a creative culture that reflects our community’s diversity.
THANK YOU TO:
The arts groups and organizations that collaborate and adapt and make opportunities for all of us to experience the arts.
The artists that through their creations help us make meaning of the world, understand our interconnectedness, and light a way forward to the world we want to live in.
The audiences that open their hearts to art and allow themselves to feel, learn, grow, and connect.
You, the donors, whose combined generosity gives energy to help the arts flourish.
AND THANKS TO YOU, CAP...
Engaged more artists than ever before in 2025, supporting them in their careers through outreach, one-on-one brainstorming, our new workshop program, networking events, and opportunities to sell and share their art with the public.
Grew each of our programs with more artists, more access, and greater audiences.
Distributed $554,000 through six grant programs that funded over 500 local artists, arts organizations and community organizations.
Welcomed Via Carpenter to our Team as our new Community Engagement Coordinator!
Image Captions: Top L to R: Nicole Costa CAP ArtSpace Exhibit, Grantee MeeAh Caughey, Grantee Bree Barton’s ArtSpace Exhibit with Rayan. Middle L to R: WinnieBell Xinyu Zong at Spring Writes Literary Festival, Ryan Curtis at Ithaca Artist Market. Bottom L to R: Grantees CUMEP and Ithaca Murals, Grantees GIAC Jumpers
posted July, 2025
Enjoy our Amazing Report to the Community!
A Message From Megan Barber, CAP Executive Director and Tom Bouman, CAP Board President:
We’re excited to share the Community Arts Partnership’s 2024 Annual Report with heartfelt thanks to the supporters, funders, community partners, artists, and arts organizations who help make Tompkins County a vibrant place for the arts to flourish.
Inside, you’ll find highlights from our 2024 programs, a list of the year’s grantees, and a snapshot of our financial overview.
With a strong network of collaborators, we continue to advance our mission: to strengthen the arts in Tompkins County by supporting artists and arts groups, ensuring equitable access to the arts, and cultivating a creative culture that reflects our community’s diversity. Thank you for standing with us as a valued partner in the arts!
See the full report here.
"I am consistently inspired and impacted by the work CAP is doing in our Tompkins County communities, and how it gives artists like me a chance to connect and give back. I believe we need the arts now more than ever. And I believe that, with enough support and resources, the artists of Tompkins County will continue to create work that gives hope and healing to those who need it most." -Bree Barton, Author and CAP Grantee
posted May, 2025
Via Carpenter has joined the CAP team
We are excited to welcome Via Carpenter to the CAP team as "Community Engagement Coordinator." Via brings extensive skills and experience in social media content creation and engagement, relationship building, and events coordinating. We’re excited about the organization and enthusiasm she will bring to the team. With Via's help we're looking forward to a more robust social media presence, broader marketing of local arts and artists, and deeper engagement with the community. (Image: Via in front of the mural she painted at Buffalo Street Books)
posted May, 2025
Governor Hochul announces $161 Million to the Field. $81.5 Million is for NYS grants
The New York State Council on the Arts allocation from the State for 2026 grantmaking is $161.1million. New York State provides more than 99% of NYSCA's grantmaking budget, ensuring that New York State artists and arts and culture organizations can continue their vital contributions to the health, prosperity and strength of our great state.
FY2026 grantmaking includes
- $81.1 million in grantmaking to organizations and artists.
- Grant application guidelines are available now at arts.ny.gov.
- $80 million in capital project funding.
If you would like to share your appreciation with our Governor and Legislators for their visionary leadership and critical support for NYSCA, you can contact Governor Hochul here, your Senator here, and your Assemblymember here.
Learn more on NYSCA's facebook page
"Here in New York, we understand the incredible benefits of our creative economy – from attracting an international audience to energizing our local communities." -Gov Hochul
posted April, 2025
CAP "SOS" Grant Recipients - $24,000
See all 32 awardees at on our "Recent Award List" page
"It’s not just about funding—it’s about the belief that my work matters, that my art can bring joy to others."
"The impact of this grant extends beyond me. When I perform, I see people find hope, connection, and even the courage to tell their own stories. That is the real power of art, and your support makes it possible."
(Image L-R: Jesse Wright, Kathy Lucas (film by Mee Ah Caughey), SingTrece, Margalo Guo)
posted March, 2025
$213,000 "SCR" grants to local organizations & artists
Three of the Community Arts Partnership's five grants are part of New York State Council on the Arts "Statewide Community Regrant" (SCR) program. SCR makes exemplary arts programming available to geographically, ethnically, and racially diverse segments of the State's population, and supports the continued development of local cultural resources responsive to community cultural needs.
In February, 53 organizations and 21 individuals were awarded a total of $213,000. (Since 1993, CAP has distributed over $7.5 million to support local initiatives and artists!)
The SCR grants includes our "Grants for Arts Programs" for community events, the Artist in Community grant for artists' creation of new work shared with communities in a significant way, and the Arts Education grant which brings teaching artists into schools and after-school programs for residencies.
See who was funded on our "Recent Award List" page
(Image Top Row: Sarah Lopez - SOS grant / State of the Art Gallery - GAP grant/ Student at Caroline Elementary - Ann Reichlin Residency, Arts Education grant. Middle Row: Yamilka Portorreal, Artist in Community grant / Mural with Ithaca Murals and Southside Commnity Center - GAP grant. Bottom Row: Ageless Jazz Band - GAP grant / GIAC Jumpers - Arts Education grant / Kathy Lucas - GAP Grant.)
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