The Decentralization Program (DEC), initiated by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), aims to ensure that New York State’s cultural funding reaches every part of the state. Since 1977, DEC has focused on distributing arts funding broadly, and Saratoga Arts, specifically from 1993 and expanded in 2011, has been instrumental in administering these resources to foster community-enhancing and life-enriching arts programs across Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties.
The Arts Education Grants program aims to support projects that provide education in the arts to a defined group of learners. These projects can either be In-School projects, focused within educational institutions, or Community-Based projects, aimed at broader community engagement outside the traditional school system. Grants of $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 are available for projects that deliver "hands-on" learning experiences across at least 3 separate sessions, ensuring that learners of all ages have the opportunity to engage with art in new and immersive ways.