Collaborative Applications

2026 Fairgame Grant Guidelines

The Fairgame Arts Grants provide support to arts and culture organizations for arts projects in the three regions represented by Fair Game (Capital, Southern Tier, and Catskills).  The goals of the grant program are to: a) support organizations that produce or present arts programming; and b) expand opportunities for residents and visitors of these regions to experience the arts.

The grant fund is administered by the Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fairgame.  Each of the Fairgame regions were selected by the governor and the state legislature allowed negotiations with Fairgame for casino applications.  Each casino negotiation was different, but 15% of each region’s Fairgame payment from that region’s casino or casinos was allocated for grants.  Grant pools for each region for 2026 are:  Capital: $52,500 Catskills: $75,000 and Southern Tier $37,800.

Please direct any questions to info@afairgame.net.

Eligibility 

Eligible Applicants: 

Non-profit 501 (c) 3 organizations with a primary purpose to create or present arts or cultural programs (including libraries).  Organizations with budgets of $1.5 million or less may apply. Projects in all arts disciplines are eligible, including music, theater, dance, film/video, literary and visual arts. 

Ineligible applicants:  Individuals, colleges and universities, municipal departments, schools, non-arts organizations.

Geographic Restriction:  Organizations must be based in one of the counties of the Fairgame regions:  Capital:  Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Washington; Catskill:  Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster; Southern Tier:  Broome, Chemung, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, Yates.  

Creative projects must take place in the same region in which the organization is based.

Ineligible Projects:  Capital projects and fundraising events. 

Grant Amounts:  $1000 to $5000

Funding Period:  Projects should take place between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027

Funding Priorities:  Projects that integrate the arts with community goals/needs

Review Criteria:

·  Feasibility of project and likelihood of success 

·  Artistic Quality of project

·  Quality and clarity of application narrative and budget

·  Audience benefits and relevance of the project to the intended participants 

Note: These grants are for project support; they are not intended to support general operating. 

In order to apply for a Fairgame grant, applicants must create a Submittable account. 

Prior year awardees whose projects have been completed must have submitted their Final Report before applying in 2026. 

Grants will support projects that take place between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027. 

Please consider joining us on Feb. 26, 2026 at 2 p.m. for an Informational call to learn more about the grant application. Staff members will be available to answer questions regarding the grant process. 

Proctors Collaborative is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Upstate Theatre Coalition Grant Informational Call

Time: Feb 26, 2026 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 883 7064 6601

Passcode: 266341

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Thank you for your interest in performing in this season’s Jazz on Jay series. Jazz on Jay is a free, community-focused concert series that celebrates the rich tradition and evolving spirit of jazz while bringing live music to the heart of downtown Schenectady. We are excited to learn more about your work and appreciate the time you take to apply.

• As you complete your application, please review the following guidelines carefully:
• Applicants must submit a body of work as part of the application. This may include recorded music or a video from a live concert or rehearsal that represents your current sound and performance style.
• Performers must play jazz. This series is dedicated exclusively to jazz and its sub-genres, including Latin jazz, smooth jazz, fusion, and related styles.
• A PA system, mixer, microphones, and two monitor speakers will be provided. Backline instruments and amplifiers are not supplied, so performers should plan to bring their own guitars, basses, keyboards, and amplifiers.
• Musicians selected to perform at Jazz on Jay 2026 may not sell merchandise or solicit tips during their performance.
• Jazz on Jay is an outdoor concert series held in Jay Square, in the heart of downtown Schenectady. Performances are planned to take place outdoors whenever possible and will only be moved indoors in the event of a serious weather concern.
• Ensembles consisting entirely of members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) are eligible to receive AFM scale plus leader fee.  These groups should contact AFM Local 85-133 representative Nathan Schied at nathanschied+JonJ@gmail.com to apply.  AFM ensembles should not use the standard Jazz on Jay application form.
• If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact Lanaea Bailey at lbailey@proctorscollaborative.org.

We appreciate your interest in Jazz on Jay and look forward to reviewing your application.