American Rescue Plan Act

Application – Economic Development

Arts, Culture and Tourism
* Please note, the timeline for submitting an application to the Arts, Culture and Tourism grant program has passed.
Ways to complete and submit your application for consideration:
  1. Submit Electronically (Below)
  2. Download and Submit a Hardcopy

Hardcopy Applications should be submitted to:

Office of the Albany County Executive

112 State Street

Albany, NY 12207

Have a Question?

The County will accept questions through June 7, 2023 and will publicly post responses to the ARPA Portal on or around June 9, 2023.

To submit a question, simply fill out the below form. If you include your email, you will be notified when responses are publicly posted. 

Arts, Culture and Tourism
Application Details
The County of Albany is dedicating $750,000 of ARPA funding to promote the recovery of the arts, culture, and tourism sectors in the County that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As detailed below, two (2) types of applications will be accepted. 

Applicants may apply for both programs but will only be awarded one grant.

1. Arts, Culture, and Tourism  Promotion Grants
Applicants may submit requests in an amount up to $100,000 for the expansion of existing initiatives, development of new initiatives, or other improvements that will result in additional visitors to Albany County. Promotion grants should have a specific work plan focused on developing tourism amenities; enhancing visitor experience; increasing recreation, art, culture, and heritage opportunities for visitors; and/or initiatives promoting Albany County as a destination. Promotion grants are open to all organizations. Award recipients will be considered subrecipients of County ARPA funds and will be subject to subrecipient reporting requirements.
2. Arts, Culture, and Tourism Recovery Grants
Applicants may submit requests in an amount up to $50,000. Recovery funding is available for non-profit organizations that were in operation prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and can demonstrate that they experienced a negative economic impact as a result of required closures and other efforts to contain the pandemic. These funds do not require a specific proposal or work plan. Awardees will be considered beneficiaries of ARPA funding and will be required to submit periodic compliance information but will not be subject to subrecipient compliance requirements.
Application Details, Eligibility and Restrictions

Competitive Process: Funds will be awarded only after the completion, submission, and review of a complete application. Incomplete or deficient applications will be disqualified for consideration by the County. Applications will be reviewed, and investments will be made at the discretion of the County. Completion of an application is not a guarantee of an award.  Furthermore, the County reserves the right to award funds for a lesser amount than requested. 

Award Structure. Recovery awards will be provided as one-time grants. Promotion awards will be provided in the form of reimbursement-based grants. Upfront funding in an amount up to 1/3 of a total award  may be provided if a need is demonstrated.  

Decision Process. Each proposed project and applicant will be subject to the County’s standard ARPA decision making process in order to ensure ARPA eligibility, ability of applicants to meet the reporting and compliance requirements as set forth by the US Treasury, and to determine the best and most strategic use of funds.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until 5pm on Friday June 30, 2023. 

Award Notification: Applicants will be notified of application status in August of 2023. Once approved, successful applicants will be required to complete intake forms and enter into a contract with the County.

Application Assistance. The County of Albany will be hosting information sessions during the application open period to assist grant applicants. For more information visit:

Federal Eligibility.County awards must be expended in compliance with applicable Local, State and Federal law. The use of funds must address impacts associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic. For additional information, see Federal regulations below: Click Here.

    Eligible Entities. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be located in Albany County. Aid may only be provided to support organizations that were operating prior to the pandemic and affected by required closures and other efforts to contain the pandemic. Recovery grants are available for non-profit organizations only. Promotion grants are available for all organizations

        Award Restrictions. Awarded funds may not be used to pay taxes, fees, or any other payments due to the County of Albany. In addition, organization or entities shall not be permitted to use funds for expenses that already have been or will be covered by any other local, state, or federal assistance program.

        Award Terms. All funds must be expended by December 31, 2026.

        Protection of Personal Information.  The County utilizes appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to reasonably mitigate risks and protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of any personal information provided as a part of this application.

        Award Amounts.

        • Arts, Culture, and Tourism (ACT) Promotion Grants: Up to $100,000
        • Arts, Culture, and Tourism (ACT) Recovery Grants: Up to $50,000

        Grading Criteria. 

        Promotion Grant Applications will be graded on the following criteria:

        • Applicant capability and experience
        • Outside funding/ financial sustainability
        • Project readiness/ability to meet timeline
        • Project impact (i.e. new visits generated)

        Recovery Grant Applications will be graded on the following criteria:

        • Applicant Need/Request proportional to demonstrated negative economic impact
        • Actions taken to adapt to COVID-19/ demonstration of sustainable operations
        • Applicant capability
        • County impact (i.e. visits generated)
          Forms You Will Need
          For Your Application
          Proposed Budget Form and US Treasury Reporting and Compliance Guidance  
          Proposed Budget Form
          (ONLY REQUIRED FOR A PROMOTION GRANTS)

          Below is a downloadable Proposed Budget Form.  If you are applying for a Promotional Grant, the Proposed Budget Form will need to be completed and uploaded as a part or your application.   

          US Treasury Reporting and Compliance Guidance: Applicants will be required to ackowledge that the have recieved a copy of and understand the US Treasury’s Reporting and Compliance Guidance. A copy is available by clicking the below button or ny visiting:
          * Please note, the timeline for submitting an application to the Arts, Culture and Tourism grant program has passed.