Eligible TAG Applicants 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that own (or hold at least a 6-year lease on) a historic resource used primarily for public-facing arts and cultural purposes.

Municipalities that own a historic resource used primarily for public-facing arts and cultural purposes.

• Accessibility studies

• Engineering/structural analyses

• Limited condition assessments

• MEP analyses

• Specialized conservation studies

• Energy efficiency studies and energy audits

Requests of up to $7,500 are allowed for projects costing up to $8,000. Applicants must contribute at least a $500 cash match.

In-kind services and staff time do not count toward match requirements. The Preservation League and NYSCA expect to see a project budget that reflects the applicant’s meaningful commitment to the project. The consultant fee should reflect the applicant’s understanding of the value of these professional services. Please note that this program may not be able to fully fund the grant amounts requested.

The application process is entirely online. Prospective applicants must first complete a pre-application to determine eligibility and receive the full application link. The pre-application is available until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025 and the deadline to submit final applications is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025. Applicants will be notified by email approximately 12 weeks after the application deadline.

Applications that meet one or more of these funding priorities will receive priority consideration.

• Projects that identify and preserve histories, places, and culture associated with underrepresented communities and/or that address issues of social justice, diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (see below for an explanation of underrepresented communities, as defined by NYSCA).

• Projects that respond to challenges created by climate change.

The Preservation League and its regrant partner, the New York State Council on the Arts, embrace the widest spectrum of cultural expression and artistic pluralism and encourage funded organizations to demonstrate a holistic and comprehensive commitment to DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and access). NYSCA interprets underrepresented communities as including, but not limited to: African American/Caribbean, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Native American/Indigenous communities; People in areas with scarce cultural resources (including rural communities); disabled communities; LGBTQIA+ communities; neurodiverse communities; underserved older adults; veterans; low income and unhoused populations; as well as justice involved juveniles and adults.

Accessibility Studies: A study of existing conditions and the development of options to allow improved site accessibility, including ADA compliance. The report should include recommendations and cost estimates.

Engineering Structural Analysis: Analysis of structural integrity and identification of structural causes of other issues of concern. Report should include repair recommendations and cost estimates. May be completed by a qualified preservation architect, engineer, or team.

Limited Condition Assessment: Assessment of a specific condition concern with recommendations for repairs and cost estimates. May include small scale maintenance plans and/or a prioritized list of recommendations pertaining to the specific maintenance/repair issue.

MEP Analysis: Analysis of the mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems; can also include fire suppression, HVAC, solar, or geothermal studies. Report should include existing conditions and recommendations for improvements. Usually completed by a specialized contractor with historic preservation experience or with preservation architect oversight.

Specialized Conservation Studies: Analysis of existing conditions and recommendations for the treatment of a specific aspect of the historic resource that falls outside of the realm of a typical condition assessment, or of a particular material that requires a specialized consultant. Examples include: Hazmat Remediation Studies; Acoustics Analysis; Historic Paint Analysis; Historic Stencil Conservation Analysis; Masonry Mortar Analysis; LiDAR Scans; and more. Application requests for Specialized Conservation Studies are approved on a case-by-case basis according to Grant Guidelines.

Energy Efficiency Studies and Energy Audits: Energy audits, also known as energy assessments, are often the first step in determining a building's energy performance. During an assessment/audit, a building professional such as an architect or energy specialist looks comprehensively at all areas of a building, including insulation, air leaks, the effectiveness of heating and cooling equipment, lighting characteristics, and indoor air quality. The resulting report should include a road map for energy-saving and clean energy improvements that is customized to the historic building and takes into account and minimizes potential impacts to historic fabric. The report should include a prioritized list of recommended upgrades, with relative costs, anticipated energy reductions, and potential impacts to the historic building outlined. TAG-funded energy assessments should be carried out by a preservation architect or independent energy specialist.