Opportunities for Bronx Individual Artists, Arts Organizations, and Artist Collectives
The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) offers grant funding and program opportunities to support community-centered arts and culture projects and to recognize outstanding local artists.
Applications are accepted from individual artists, artist collectives, and nonprofit arts or community organizations for projects in a wide variety of disciplines, including dance, visual arts & crafts, theater, music, film & video, opera, folk arts, interdisciplinary arts, literary arts, multi-disciplinary art forms, and others.
Emerging and pre-professional artists, women artists, artists of color, artists with disabilities, artists who identify as LGBTQ, and artists from other historically excluded communities and demographics are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information, please visit www.bronxarts.org/grants, send an email to tracey@bronxarts.org.
Opens Monday, October 27, 2025
Deadline to Apply: Monday, December 1, 2025
The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) Longwood Arts Project seeks a Bronx-based Curatorial Fellow for a unique opportunity to engage in the implementation of two exhibitions of the Longwood Art Gallery for 2026. These two exhibitions will be presented at distinct venues in the Bronx and Harlem. Each exhibition will feature ten artists. The Curatorial fellow will also have the opportunity to curate a show (maximum four artists) within BCA’s Longwood @ Governors Island Residency Program.
The Curatorial Fellowship program is highly competitive, and offers high-quality, real-world experience and mentorship to an emerging arts professional/curator in the visual arts field. This paid six-month fellowship will allow the Fellow to learn from inspiring BCA staff and creatives in one of the leading non-profit organizations in NYC.
The Fellowship will run from mid-January 2026 through mid-July 2026, with an estimated commitment of about two days per week, approximately five hours each day.
The Curatorial Fellow will receive a stipend of $4,000.
About the Curatorial Fellowship
The Curatorial Fellow will work closely with the Longwood Arts Project’s Gallery Director to learn the process of curating an exhibition from start to end, and will have a hands-on approach to all the tasks that it entails, from the choice of the theme through the writing of a proposal, the selection of artists and artworks, and the design of the space, as well as administrative functions.
The Curatorial Fellow will have the opportunity to engage with the full process of exhibition-making — from concept development to presentation. The Fellow will participate in artist studio visits, assist with project coordination, and take part in conversations with creatives, vendors, and partner organizations.
Throughout the fellowship, they will deepen their understanding of exhibition design, installation, and documentation, while exploring the themes and artworks on view. The Fellow will also help create meaningful connections between artists, audiences, and the broader arts community of the Bronx, gaining valuable insight into the vibrant cultural landscape that shapes it.
Eligibility Requirements
Geographic location
The Curatorial Fellow must be a Bronx resident and be able to travel within and outside the borough, including to Governors Island.
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, or related field preferred
• Museum or arts organization experience preferred
Skills and Abilities
• Ability to understand and learn about contemporary art concepts and artworks.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Computer proficiency with PC and Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Photoshop desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Self-directed, ability to anticipate actions needed. Ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to exercise discretion and to be a team player in an active office environment.
Submission Requirements
You can apply by sending:
· Your personal information (Name, address, phone number, and email address)
· Cover letter noting the reason for your interest in this fellowship
· Two original art related writing samples (max. 500 words each)
· Your resume (max. 1 page)
Please send your application only via Submittable.
APPLICATION OPENS: Monday, September 29th
DEADLINE: Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM
The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) invites 2021 to 2025 Visual Artists BRIO Awardees to submit their proposals for the Longwood Art Project BRIO Retrospective.
Proposed artworks will be evaluated based on their ability in communicating the artist’s ideas through innovative, relevant, and critically engaging approaches. A maximum of ten (10) artists will be selected.
The exhibition will take place at the Bronx River Arts Center (BRAC) from February 11 to March 15, 2026.
BCA is dedicated to championing and amplifying diverse voices and narratives, supporting artists deeply committed to their practice.
ABOUT THE LONGWOOD ARTS PROJECT
The Longwood Arts Project is a flagship program of the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA). Founded in 1981, it was one of the first alternative gallery spaces in the Bronx and to this day maintains its pioneering focus on artists whose traditions and cultural practices are underrepresented by mainstream venues. The project derives its name from its original location, at PS39 on Longwood Avenue. From 2003 to 2024, the gallery was located on the campus of Hostos Community College. The gallery is now located at BCA Headquarters at 2700 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461.
The Longwood Arts Project predominantly showcases artists of color, women, and LGBTQ+ artists. Its exhibitions explore Bronx history, intersectional Bronx cultures, and social justice issues facing our communities. The gallery also offers programs for youth and adults that encourage dialogue and explore exhibition themes in greater depth.
ABOUT THE BRONX COUNCIL ON THE ARTS (BCA)
Founded by visionary community leaders in 1962, The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) is a pioneer advocate for cultural equity in The Bronx. From our early beginnings as a presenter of affordable arts programming in select Bronx neighborhoods, we have grown into a cultural hub that serves the entire creative ecosystem of the borough. Our programs serve artists, the public, and the field at large by building connections, providing resources, and advocating for equitable practices. Then as now, we focus on supporting the work of underrepresented groups – especially artists of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Through this lens, we offer affordable programs for seniors and youth and provide direct services to over 1,500 artists and 250 community-based arts groups each year. For more information, please visit www.bronxarts.org.
ABOUT BRONX RIVER ART CENTER (BRAC)
Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) is a culturally diverse, multi-arts, non-profit organization that provides a forum for community, artists, and youth to transform creativity into vision. BRAC’s Education, Exhibitions, Artist Studios, and Presenting Programs cultivate leadership in an urban environment and steward a natural resource — the Bronx River.
Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) was founded in 1987 to bring professional arts programming to a culturally underserved population. For over 40 years (including several years of arts programming under the umbrella of the first Bronx River Restoration project), this multi-arts center has filled the West Farms community of the Bronx with art and environmental experiences. BRAC’s programs are designed to encourage residents to engage in creative activism towards the revitalization and future of their neighborhood. For more information, please visit www.bronxriverart.org
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Artists are invited to submit their proposals through Submittable. Artists will need to create a Submittable account if they don’t already have one. Make sure to use an active email account. All open-call-related communications will be sent to the email you use to register on our application portal.
We encourage the submission of artworks within the visual arts, including, but not limited to, installations, objects, sculptures, photographs, prints, drawings, and paintings.
Each artist should submit up to five (5) artworks for consideration. Artworks must be available if selected.
SELECTION PROCESS:
The Longwood Arts Project Advisory Committee and BCA Staff will make all final decisions.
The Submission deadline is Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
Eligibility: The application is open to visual artists who received a BRIO Award between 2021 and 2025. All 2021-2025 BRIO winners are welcome to apply. We encourage submissions by artists who have not yet exhibited at the Bronx Council on the Arts.
Notification of selection will be sent by Monday, December 15, 2025.
All applications will be kept in our files for future reference. For questions or technical inquiries, please contact Longwood Art Gallery at longwood@bronxarts.org.
*No phone calls inquiring about the status of your submission, please.
GUIDELINES
Proposed artworks will be evaluated based on their ability in communicating the artist’s ideas through innovative, relevant, and critically engaging approaches. A maximum of ten (10) artists will be selected.
The 2026 Open Call will accept proposals from 2021 to 2025 BRIO Awardees in Visual Arts. All 2021-2025 BRIO winners are welcome to apply. We encourage submissions by artists who have not yet exhibited at the Bronx Council on the Arts.
Each artist should submit up to five artworks for consideration. Artworks must be available if selected
Panelists will evaluate eligible applications based on the following criteria:
1. Artistic Merit
Strong applications include work samples that reflect creativity, technical skill, and a clear artistic vision.
2. Clarity and Cohesion
Use your support statements to tell your story in a clear and compelling way. Together with your work samples, they should give panelists a full picture of your practice, your goals, and what drives your work.
3. Originality and Innovation
Panelists will look for fresh ideas, distinctive approaches, creative use of materials or techniques, and the overall impact of your work.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
· The Longwood Art Gallery covers the cost of art handlers and insurance for all the artworks.
· Artists will receive an honorarium of $200 for their participation in the exhibition.
· Artists must deliver and pick up their work in a timely manner.
· BCA is not responsible for shipping artwork.
· A BCA staff member will be available to support the artists with logistics (contracts, coordination with art handlers, promotion, etc.).
· Artists commit to have their artwork in the exhibition for the whole four-week duration of the exhibition.
· BCA requests participating artists to be present at the Opening Reception on February 11, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The exhibition will run from February 11 to March 15, 2026.
· BRAC Gallery hours are 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM from Tuesday through Friday and 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
· Your personal information (name, address, phone number, and email address).
· One PDF with information about each artwork (up to five): title, year, dimensions, and media. The information provided must include a brief description for each of the submitted pieces. The artworks must be available if selected.
· Images 1 – 5 (JPG files). Up to 5 MB each.
· Artist CV (max. 2 pages)
· Artist Statement (max. 500 words)
2026 Community Engagement Grants
Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST
Since 1982, the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) has offered Community Engagement Grants (CEG) to enrich the cultural life of the borough by supporting high-quality community-based arts projects in all disciplines, genres, and styles.
For this grants program, “community” is defined as:
A geographic area;
A cultural, social, racial, or socio-economic demographic;
An artistic community.
The program is for Bronx-based artists who are not applying directly to the supporting and who are also: individual artists, unincorporated artist collectives or ensembles, or nonprofit organizations with an art mission or program.
We fund projects via three Funds. Our new process allows you to apply for all three Funds at once:
Arts Fund (AF), supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). (AF) grants are open to individual artists, unincorporated artist collectives or ensembles, and nonprofit organizations with an annual budget under $100,000.
Community Arts (CA), supported by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants (SCR) program. CA grants are open to individual artists with a fiscal sponsor, unincorporated artist collectives or ensembles with a fiscal sponsor, and nonprofit organizations.
New Work (NW), also supported by the NYSCA SCR program. NW grants are open to individual artists who generate new work.
Applicants will be considered for the maximum grant amount possible based on request amount and eligibility. The maximum will not exceed $12,500*.
New Work grants of up to $5,000
Arts Fund grants of up to $5,000
Community Arts grants of up to $7,500
*Please note that BCA's CEGs are funded by two separate funders:
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) funds AF.
The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) funds CA and NW.
For more information, see complete guidelines here.
Dear Bronx Dance Fund Recipients,
We are happy to have had you as part of BCA's 2025 Bronx Dance Fund Cohort. As part of your 2025 Bronx Dance Fund agreement, you agreed to submit a Final Report on your grant activities for the year when requested. This will complete your funding requirements.
Your report will help enrich our understanding of how the Bronx Dance Fund has impacted your work and continue to support the dance ecosystem of the Bronx.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Deadline: January 15, 2026
For questions or assistance, please contact:
- Tracey O'Reilly, Grantmaking Manager: tracey@bronxarts.org
- Guadalupe Ambrosio, Grantmaking Associate: guadalupe@bronxarts.org
We look forward to learning about your achievements and how this funding has supported your artistic practice.
Are you a performer, visual artist, arts critic, arts historian, musician, curator, other artist or arts professional, or arts engaged community leader?
The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) seeks artists, arts professionals, and nonprofit and community leaders to serve as panelists for our 2024 and future grant cycles.
BCA offers several grantmaking programs and distributes more than $750,000 of grant funds every to Bronx artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations. BCA Panelists review and score applications, provide invaluable panelist comments, and recommend recipients for funding. They play a key role in the grants process, and their knowledge and expertise are crucial in shaping the way public arts funds are distributed.
If this is you and you would like to help make a difference in the Bronx, please apply to serve on one of our grants panels!
Potential panelists from all boroughs are welcome to apply, as BCA’s different grant programs require panelists from in and outside of the Bronx. BCA supports panel diversity in all forms: age, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, artistic discipline, location, etc.
Selected panelists will be contacted when needed. All panelists receive an honorarium.
For more info on BCA's grants, please visit this link.
Bronx Cultural Visions Fund (BCVF)
Full Proposals Due : Monday, November 5
The Bronx Cultural Visions Fund (BCVF) seeks to support the development of new ideas and the production of new work in the performing arts, including, but not limited to, dance, music, theater, performance act, and multi-disciplinary performance work.
BCVF is open to Bronx-based emerging and mid-career individual artists and organizations with budgets of $250,000 or less. BCVF awards are intended to meaningfully impact the granted artist's career or the granted organization's development.
BCVF represents a significant investment in The Bronx's performing arts scene. The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) will develop long-term relationships with each grantee and remain actively engaged with grantees throughout the grant period and beyond.
There are two branches of BCVF grants:
- Concept Development grants will award up to $10,000 to grantees with compelling ideas in need of seed funding. Concept Development grantees will be eligible to apply for Production grants in the following grant cycle.
- Production grants will award up to $20,000 grantees who are ready to produce an already completed work.
All grantees will be eligible for an additional $2,500 in Professional Enhancement Funds, which can be used for professional skill-building, learning opportunities, or capacity-strengthening initiatives.