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New York, NY 10010
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  NYSCA's Governing Legislation

The Council's activities are determined by legislation which defines the agency's structure and overall policies. NYSCA's annual appropriation for grants (Local Assistance) and operations (State Purposes) is received from the Governor and the Legislature each fiscal year.

In addition to state funds, NYSCA also receives annual support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a federal agency.


NYSCA's Policies on Inclusiveness

The New York State Council on the Arts supports the rights of all New Yorkers, as expressed by law, to access and experience the power of the arts and culture. The Council believes that the citizens of New York are well served by environments and programming that are inclusive.

Accessibility
All arts organizations, whether or not they receive federal, state or other public funding, should be aware of their responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York State Civil Rights Law. The location of the organization may determine other applicable laws and guidelines to be considered. For information and advice, it is suggested that an organization consult its attorney, the New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (Voice/TTY/Spanish: 1-800-624-4143) or call the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts hotline at 212-319-ARTS (ext.1).

NYSCA encourages all organizations to consider accessibility/usability (which includes design of facilities, programming, and communications systems) in the early stages of project and program development. A NYSCA grant should not be interpreted as an opinion on that organization's compliance with its legal obligations. Each organization is responsible for complying with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

NYSCA recommends that organizations conduct an evaluation of policies, practices, and programs to test their accessibility and usability by people with and people without disabilities. People with disabilities and organizations representing them should be invited to participate in the evaluation process. Inquiries on achieving accessibility can be directed to public.affairs@arts.ny.gov. Resource information on accessibility can be found on the Council's web site at www.arts.ny.gov/resources/access.htm

Captioning and Signing for the Hearing Impaired
The Council, through a program of the Theatre Development Fund called TAP PLUS, provides funding for open captioning and sign-language interpreting. Only organizations that are currently funded by the Council are eligible to apply to this program. Applications are welcome from organizations in the visual, literary, and media arts, as well as from those in the performing arts.

For information and applications, please contact the Theatre Development Fund at 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. Phone: (212) 398-7408.


Affirmative Action

NYSCA is committed to an agency-wide affirmative action policy that responds to the needs of persons with disabilities, people of color, Vietnam-era veterans, and women. NYSCA welcomes requests that address this commitment within the context of the funding programs, and it encourages applicants to seek artists and develop projects that meet such needs.

In addition, some NYSCA funding programs or categories have particular goals that address traditionally underrepresented constituencies. Organizations are also urged to develop affirmative action policies to ensure that all employees and applicants for employment are afforded equal opportunities. Inquiries about affirmative action should be directed to the Council's Affirmative Action Officer.


FOIL Public Notice

As an agency of the State of New York, NYSCA is subject to New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Applicants are advised that, in compliance with this law, all correspondence with and applications made to the Council (with the exception of certain exempted supplemental materials), and resulting contracts and reports, are subject to public inspection.

A request for records within the possession of NYSCA must be in writing. Such written request shall be addressed to the Records Access Officer, New York State Council on the Arts, 300 Park Avenue South, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10010 or by e-mail to public.affairs@arts.ny.gov. The business telephone number of the Records Access Officer is (212)459-8800.

If access to records is granted, records may, upon payment of any applicable fee, be inspected or copied by the public at the Records Access Officer's business office. Such records may be inspected or copied every day that the Council is open for business during the hours--9 a.m. through 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. through 4 p.m. Additionally, the Records Access Officer may, upon request, copy records and submit the same to requesting parties upon payment of any applicable fee.

A person who has been denied access to a requested record by the Records Access Officer shall have the right to appeal the denial of access to the Records Appeals Officer. An appeal to the Records Appeals Officer must be in writing and shall be addressed to: Records Appeals Officer, New York State Council on the Arts, 300 Park Avenue South, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10010 or by e-mail to public.affairs@arts.ny.gov.

For more information about the New York State Freedom of Information Law, please visit the Committee on Open Government website.

Records Subject Matter List


Open Meeting Law

In compliance with New York State's Open Meetings Law, the Council and committee meetings, as well as the Appeals Panel meetings, are open to the public as observers. Dates and locations of meetings are posted at the Council offices or can be obtained by contacting the Council's Public Information Office.

 
  ©2004 New York State Council on the Arts.