Society of Illustrators Receives NYC Cultural Development Fund Grant

The Society of Illustrators has received a FY 2025 New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Cultural Development Fund (CDF) Grant Award totaling $70,905. This new grant, which is the largest amount of DCLA funding that SI has received in its 124-year nonprofit history, will help support SI’s free year-round art education programs for underserved NYC youth from economically challenged neighborhoods.

The announcement follows NYC Mayor Eric Adams and DCLA Commissioner Laurie Cumbo’s approval of $59.3 million in CDF grants to 1,078 cultural organizations across the five boroughs. The funding, which is awarded annually by DCLA using a competitive, peer-evaluated grant process, includes $51.9 million from the Mayor’s Office and $7.4 million from members of the New York City Council.

SI’s free K-12 Programs offered annually include the longstanding Winter, Spring, and Summer Drawing Academies for underserved Grades 5-8 students in collaboration with NYC Parks, Fall/Spring High School Career Exploration & Portfolio Building Workshops for Grades 9-12 students, and Saturday Stories Monthly Workshops for Grades K-4 students and their families. For more details regarding the Society’s art education programs for children and teens ages four to 18, visit: https://societyillustrators.org/community/.