Celebrating 15 Years of LoKo Arts
This year’s theme, Illumination, reflects the power of the arts to reveal new ideas, spark connection, and transform shared experiences. LoKo Arts is seeking bold, high-impact, high-visibility projects that meaningfully involve SUNY Potsdam students, are free and open to the public, and create memorable artistic experiences for campus and the North Country community.
Proposals from a wide range of artistic disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged.
Have an Idea for an Arts Project?
The 2026-27 LoKo Arts Project Grant cycle is now open to SUNY Potsdam faculty, staff, students and community partners.
Funding Opportunities
Priority Funding: 2027 LoKo Arts Festival
Festival Dates: April 27 - May 2, 2027
Application Deadline: November 1, 2026
Funding Decisions Announced: November 16, 2026
Projects may request funding within the following tiers:
- Tier 1: Up to $1,000
- Tier 2: $1,000-$5,000
- Tier 3: $5,000-$9,000
A total of $56,000 is available for the 2026-27 funding cycle.
Secondary Funding: 2026 - 2027 Academic Year Projects
Funding is also available on a rolling basis for LoKo Arts-sponsored projects taking place outside the 2027 Festival dates and within the academic year. Applications will be accepted until available funds are exhausted and will be reviewed by the LoKo Arts Committee.
Following submission, applicants should email lokoarts@potsdam.edu to request committee review and provide a desired funding decision date at least eight weeks from the date of submission.
What Makes a Strong Proposal?
LoKo Arts supports high-impact, high-visibility arts projects that bring creativity, energy, and meaningful engagement to the SUNY Potsdam campus and broader community.
To be considered for funding, proposed projects must:
- Be artistic in nature, with a clear connection to the literary, visual, performing, interdisciplinary, or creative arts.
- Demonstrate the potential for significant impact and visibility on campus and/or within the broader community.
- Meaningfully involve SUNY Potsdam students, whether as artists, performers, creators, collaborators, organizers, participants or audiences.
- Be free and open to the public, creating an accessible opportunity for community participation and engagement.
- Offer a meaningful public experience that fosters creativity, connection, learning, discovery, or cultural exchange.
Additional Information
Explore eligibility, funding requirements, project expectations and answers to common questions before submitting your proposal.