Short Description
For New York State artists, the Media Arts Assistance Fund (MAAF) provides support for the completion and/or public presentation of a new or recently completed artwork in all genres of sound and moving image art, including emergent technology. Grant awards assist artists in completing new work, reaching public audiences, and advancing artistic exploration and public engagement in the media arts. Artists may apply for up to $7,500 in support by January 15, 2026. The Media Arts Assistance Fund is a regrant program in partnership with New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). Review this page for program timeline, eligibility information, frequently asked questions, the application, and details on the review process.
Eligibility
- MAAF supports the completion of new work, and the public presentation of recently completed work. For completion support for an in-progress media artwork, the proposed project must be in the final stages of creation (at least 75 percent complete) at the time of application, and ready for completion within the 2026 calendar year. For public presentation support in calendar 2026, your project must have been completed in 2025 or will be completed in 2026.
- Applicant Artist must reside in New York State.
- Public Presentations must serve New York State audiences.
- Funding may not be used for travel expenses outside of New York State.
- Applicants must demonstrate media art to be the core discipline of the submitted work; in order to be eligible for support, cross or multi-disciplinary work must demonstrate media art to be the primary discipline.
- MAAF is a regrant program of NYSCA Electronic Media and Film. As such, media artworks, including sound art are eligible. Music projects, including electronic music are not eligible. Click here for more information about NYSCA’s Music funding area.
- MAAF is able to support individual artist made experimental documentary works.
- For the purpose of this grant, in FY2026, MAAF is not able to support non-fiction, feature-length, team-driven narrative documentary works. See Independent Documentary Association’s Grants Directory for Nonfiction Film for a listing of funding opportunities.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
Grant awards assist artists in completing new work, reaching public audiences, and advancing artistic exploration and public engagement in the media arts. Artists may apply for up to $7,500.
Entry Fee
None
Location
New York, United States
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 15 January 2026
Website Link: https://wavefarm.org/grants-services/nysca-regrants/maaf-artists/about
