New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer recently announced that 37 arts organizations across Senate District 37 have been awarded a share of $802,578 in state grants through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). These awards come as part of a broader $161 million commitment to the arts fund in the FY2026 New York State Budget.

The funds will help the recipient organizations maintain operations, launch new programs and initiatives and expand public access to the arts. It also builds the NYSCA Reserve Fund to help deliver funding to organizations during financially challenging times.

Mayer said, “I am delighted that 37 arts organizations across my district will receive grants from the New York State Council on the Arts. This support will help ensure that members of our community will have access to artistic opportunities through music, the visual arts, dance and more. Investing in the arts is an investment in our state’s future, especially for the young people whose creativity and passion deserve to be nurtured….”

NYSCA also reports that the commitment of $161 million for the arts will have an over $160 billion return on investment in New York state, impacting agriculture, construction, retail, and other areas and is estimated to impact over 400,000 jobs.

Among the recipients in SD37 are ArtsWestchester; Ballet des Ameriques School and Company for dance, The Clay Art Center, Concordia Conservatory, Neuberger Museum of Arts, Hoff Barthelson Music School, JCC of Mid Westchester, Music Conservatory of Westchester, New Choral Society of Central Westchester, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, SONGCATCHERS, Steffi Nossen Dance Foundation, The Dial magazine, The Emelin Theatre for Performing Arts, The Rye Arts Center, Westchester Children’s Chorus Inc. and Westchester Philharmonic.

Mayer was elected to the New York State Senate to represent the 37th District in Westchester County in an April 2018 Special Election, and she was subsequently reelected in November 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024.

Mayer received a JD degree from SUNY Buffalo School of Law in 1979 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in 1975.