Media Arts Assistance Fund (MAAF) for Organizations

NYSCA in Partnership with Wave Farm

For organizations, the Media Arts Assistance Fund (MAAF) provides funds to support technical strategies for online development as well as to hire outside consultants to support organizational and professional development. Eligible organizations have missions specific to the media arts, dedicate the majority of their programming to technology as an art form, and are current NYSCA grantees. Priority will be given to Electronic Media and Film organizations. Applications from multi-disciplinary organizations that incorporate art and technology will be considered on a case-by-case basis for applications that are specific to their media arts activities.

Opportunity: MAAF for Organizations

NYSCA supported organizations may apply for support in two categories 

  • Technical Strategies for Online Development
  • Outside Consultants for Organizational Development

A maximum request for each application is $2,500. Organizations may submit one request per application deadline. Each application must be for a separate and distinct request.

Application Due Dates
  • Spring: May 1, 2025 (Project Period: June - December 31, 2025)
  • Fall: October 1, 2025 (Project Period: November 2025 - June 30, 2026)

Eligibility notes:

  • Applicants must be a 2024 or 2025 NYSCA Grantee.
  • MAAF eligible organizations have missions specific to the media arts, dedicating the majority of their programming to technology as an art form. Priority will be given to Electronic Media and Film organizations.
  • Applications from multi-disciplinary organizations that incorporate art and technology will be considered on a case-by-case basis for applications that are specific to their media arts activities. Organization-wide requests from multi-disciplinary organizations are not eligible for support.
  • Please note that MAAF defines media arts as creative expression in all genres of time-based and moving image media, including emergent technology. Activities where technology/platforms such as radio or the Internet is employed solely as a communications medium for expressions in other genres such as dance, folk arts, music, literature, and theatre are not considered eligible.
  • Funding may not be used for general operating expenses, including staff salaries, or responsibilities that are typically addressed by salaried positions, such as grant writing. Please email us at info@wavefarm.org if you have questions.
  • Meals and hospitality are not eligible for MAAF support.
  • Funding may not be used for travel outside of New York State.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Organizations may not apply for new support with more than one other MAAF grant contract currently active. (i.e. in-progress or without a Final Report having been filed.)

Technical Strategies for Online Development

Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the MAAF Forward Fund helped organizations prioritize the role of technology in their transitions to remote operations and to online platforms for public engagement. In 2025, MAAF continues to support these activities with an eye toward research, planning, and implementation of long-term solutions.

Outside Consultants for Organizational Development

MAAF provides funds to hire outside consultants to support organizational and professional development. Consultants must be identified in advance of submitting an application for support.

Applications Must Be Submitted Online

Wave Farm uses the online platform Fillout for the MAAF application submission process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully and comprehensively read the information on this page before submitting an application. IMPORTANT NOTE: The application form must be completed in a single session. As such, it is highly recommended that you prepare your application offline in-advance.

2025 Application

submit

Notification and Reporting Timeline

  • Notification: Typically within 30 days
  • Period of Support for May 2025 grantees: June - December 31, 2025
  • Period of Support for October 2025 grantees November 2025 - June 30, 2026
  • Final Report Deadline: 60 days following support period end-date
  • Final Report due date for May 2025 grantees: March 1, 2026
  • Final Report due date for October 2025 grantees: August 29, 2026