Artists and organizations in New York State will receive a combined total of over $500,000 in grants thanks to direct assistance from New York Folklore. These funds that directly support artists, specific cultural traditions, and organizations come from twenty-five successful applications submitted to the New York State Council on the Arts. The support is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Artists and organizations were funded in three categories this year: Apprenticeship Grants, Support for Artists, Music Compositions, and Support for Organizations, including funds for New York Folklore.
As a support and service organization, fiscal sponsorship and grant assistance are a large part of the work we do at New York Folklore. We are thrilled to support this cohort of artists and organizations in 2025. If you are an artist or tradition bearer who is interested in learning about these and other opportunities, please contact our office.
New York Folklore looks forward to celebrating with this group in February 2025. Please watch for an event announcement.
Apprenticeships: “Apprenticeship Grants” through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) are one of the foundational tools in the field of folklore and folk arts in New York State. Through this program, “master” artists take on one or more apprentices to pass on their skills and knowledge. Apprentices can be other community members or a member of their own family. Thirteen Master/Apprenticeship pairs were funded in 2025.
Master Devesh Chandra, Apprentice Krishna Maddali. Tabla.
Master Veena Chandra, Apprentice Anshu Chandra. Sitar.
Master Mishka Luft, Apprentice Amy Cotler. Jewish Papercutting
Master Zorkie Nelson, Apprentices Dineisha and Jacey Cooper. Ghanaian Atenteben Flute
Master (Deleted for Privacy), Apprentices (Deleted for Privacy) and (Deleted for Privacy). Kochi Dress Making.
Master Latifa Ali Muhammad, Apprentice Kamila Rajabi. Afghan Embroidery.
Master David Walayat, Apprentice Pankaj Kishor. Pakistani Vocal Music
Master Pinya Aung, Apprentice Myiny Aung. Tenaku Harp.
Master Martin Jimenez; Apprentice Keury Perez. Dominican Marimbula construction
Master Taganyahu Swab; Apprentice Salim Chagu. Brazilian Capoeira
Master Rookmin (Lalita) Ramnauth, Apprentice Surjdai (Nellie) Sukhram. Guyanese Chutney Music
Master Susana Martinez Dominguez, Apprentice Diana Fuentes.Triqui Huipil weaving
Master Luz Ruiz, Apprentice Caleb Lopez Ruiz. Oaxacan Folk Dance
“Support for Artists” funds creative commissions to individual artists, this relatively new category has allowed a greater number of artists access to NYSCA funding. Artists for 2025 are pursuing individual artistic creations in music composition, or new works of art. Artists receiving support in 2025 are the following:
Mary Shelley: Celebrating Two Hundred Years of the Erie Canal – Then and Now (bas relief wood carving)
Xiaoping Xu: No Matter Eastern or Western: Abstract Expressionism of Lunar Five Elements (Chinese painting)
Veena Chandra: Thumri Style on Sitar
Pamela Badila: Nkenge, Cursed by Beauty- a theater piece based on a Congolese folktale
Eshue Aung: A New Don Dance
Aurelia Fernández Marure: Cartonería Dia de Los Muertos (Mexican paper mache’ cartoneria)
Sovereign Strickland: A music album inspired by roots reggae
Felix Nelson: The Creation of Dromo Cultural Group (Ghanaian dance)
Scott Hopkins: The Creation of New Music for the Pan African Youth Orchestra
Congratulations to the supported artists and artists and organizations across the state!
In addition, these organizations who work in partnership with us received technical assistance from New York Folklore
Hudson Area Library
West Hill Refugee Welcome Center, Albany NY