Brooklyn Arts Council awards record $1.82M in grants to local creatives

The Brooklyn Arts Council will distribute a record-breaking $1.82 million in grants to support Brooklyn-based artists, creatives and cultural organizations in 2025 — the largest funding allocation in the nonprofit’s 57-year history.

The 2025 Creative Cohort includes 378 recipients, with $1.17 million awarded to 299 grantees and $653,000 designated for 79 teaching artists leading 104 residencies in older adult centers and schools across the borough.

BAC is Brooklyn’s leading nonprofit arts organization, creating cultural events and platforms that engage hundreds of thousands of artists and audience members each year. The organization invests in neighborhoods most affected by systemic barriers, including Brownsville, Crown Heights, East New York and Sunset Park. This year, 49% of its funding will directly support these communities.

“At BAC, we firmly believe in the vital role the arts play in shaping the social and cultural contours of our community,” said Executive Director of Brooklyn Arts Council Rasu Jilani. “Despite ongoing budget cuts and significant reductions in arts funding, BAC remains committed to supporting and nurturing Brooklyn’s creative ecosystem.”

“Since the pandemic, we have steadily increased the number of grants and opportunities each year, reinforcing our mission to support Brooklyn artists regardless of culture, creed, or gender,” Jilani continued. “By intentionally investing in local artists and cultural institutions that elevate diverse voices, we affirm our values and deepen our commitment to the cultural vitality that defines Brooklyn.”

BAC has partnered with the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs for the 2025 Community Arts Grants. The organization will administer $916,000 to 274 artists and cultural groups through three distinct funding streams: the Brooklyn Arts Fund, Local Arts Support, and the Charlene Victor and Ella J. Weiss Cultural Entrepreneur Fund.

Erika Mallin, executive director of the New York State Council on the Arts, praised BAC’s long-standing impact and commended this year’s grant recipients for their contributions to New York’s cultural landscape.

“As a proud supporter of the Brooklyn Arts Council since 1972, we are so proud of BAC’s vital work across the borough,” she said. “And, to this year’s BAC grantees: your creativity and innovation fuels all of us — from building community, to engaging learners of all ages, to making New York the global epicenter of arts and culture. Congratulations to you all on this achievement.”

Meanwhile, BAC’s Creative Equations Fund — an initiative focused on arts for social justice and supported by the Howard Gilman Foundation and NYSCA — will distribute $250,000 to 25 grantees. Funding will be awarded across categories including justice, equity, sustainability and performing arts, as well as cultural heritage, diversity and dance.

BAC will invest $269,000 in 56 in-school Arts in Education (AIE) residencies through programs such as CASA, Catalyst and Global Rhythms. AIE serves as a resource for creative learning in schools, older adult centers and community venues across Brooklyn.

In addition, BAC’s Creative Aging: SU-CASA program will award $384,000 to 48 teaching artists for residencies at older adult centers throughout the borough. Funded by the New York City Council and managed by the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department for the Aging, SU-CASA is the largest Creative Aging program in the nation.

Laurie Cumbo, commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, highlighted the city’s increased investment in local arts councils.

“In this year’s budget, we provided BAC and arts councils across the city a 15% increase in funding, a recognition of the incredible work that artists do to provide affordable, accessible, uplifting programming for our residents,” she said. Congratulations to the artists receiving these grants in BAC’s latest cycle — we are proud to support your work!”

For a full list of this year’s grantees, visit brooklynartscouncil.org.