The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Council, is pleased to announce the third year of our Cultural After School Adventures Initiative . The programs continue to provide a wide array of high-quality cultural experiences to youth enrolled in DYCD afterschool programs. This year, DYCD will offer an additional $650,000 for new cultural programs to be delivered between February 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008. When combined with the renewal of current programs, total funding for the initiative will exceed $3.2 million.

It is an exciting time to be part of New York City’s vibrant community of afterschool providers. Mayor Bloomberg recently announced the expansion of DYCD’s Out-of-School Time (OST) initiative, with 112 new OST programs determined eligible for award. Beginning January 1, 2008, these new programs will serve 14,000 additional elementary school-aged children. In September 2007, DYCD launched a redesign of the 80 Beacon Community Centers that is better-positioned to meet the needs of working families and their communities.

To capitalize on these new developments, the FY 2008 Cultural After School Adventures Initiative will support partnerships with the 112 new OST programs and 80 Beacon Community Center programs. OST programs that are not current partners in a Cultural After School Adventures grant also remain eligible for partnership. Only cultural organizations that received funding through the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) FY 2008 Cultural Development Fund process, DCA’s Cultural Institutions Unit, or have existing Cultural After School Adventures partnerships can apply directly. All projects that receive funding are required to promote intellectual and creative exploration and skill development.

The CASA application process is now closed. The new awards were announced January 2008.