Phil Young is trying to fight a misconception about the New York state art world. The reason most are from the city is that 90 percent of applicants are from there. Young said upstate artists see this imbalance, believe they won't be considered, and don't apply. Pamela Cooley, executive director of the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, said when it comes to grants, upstate artists are enthusiastic. But the challenge is to turn that energy into effective grant applications.
Upstate artists are very hesitant to apply for some reason.
The New York Foundation for the Arts has direct links to local arts councils, which offer free application-writing seminars. Fourteen were scheduled in New York City this summer and fall. Eleven were offered throughout the rest of the state. But local artists do receive NYFA grants. Four years ago, Sally Jones, who designs and prints silk fabrics, used a grant to build her Oneonta studio.