LMCC SU-CASA 2027: Creative Aging Residencies for Manhattan Visual and Digital Artists
Art residencies that put older adults at the centre
SU-CASA is a New York City community-arts residency programme which places individual teaching artists with senior centres. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) manages an application route for the Manhattan community, with a new call for 2027. Participants and the appointed artist work through a sequence of collaborative creative sessions ending with a public event. For visual and media artists, suitable proposals can involve photography, illustration, hands-on printing, collage, moving-image storytelling or other accessible forms of creative expression. This is a residency for facilitating arts participation, not an award for exhibiting one's private portfolio without resident involvement.
Who applies and who manages the placement
LMCC's SU-CASA application is directed to eligible individual artists working with Manhattan senior centres. Organisations seeking the separate SU-CASA designation must apply to the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs instead, not through an artist's individual form. The artist needs practical experience, an appropriate project proposal and the ability to teach and engage older adult participants. Applicants should verify Manhattan-area eligibility, prior teaching, work authorization and current residency obligations in the guidelines. It is not a global open call that allows any international applicant to work remotely without local programme responsibilities.
How artists, centres and public events are matched
Artists propose accessible, skill-building group creative activities and demonstrate the ability to work with older adults with varying abilities and backgrounds. Selected artists are matched to participating senior centres based on the needs, available facilities, languages and interest of the centre. Applicants may indicate districts where they would be comfortable commuting, but cannot simply select a desired senior centre and guarantee placement. The project culminates in a public programme showcasing participants' creative progress. Accessibility, safeguarding, materials and a realistic session schedule should be planned before applying.
Closing date and programme distinction
The 2027 SU-CASA call is currently open, with a deadline of 12 November 2026 at 6pm Eastern time. LMCC provides a separate application, guidelines and information session from the broader Manhattan Arts Grants tracks such as Creative Engagement and Creative Learning. The public announcement does not present a single universal grant amount here, so applicants should consult the current residency contract and fee structure rather than assume the award range of another LMCC programme applies. Applications are assessed competitively, and past SU-CASA participation does not guarantee renewal.
About LMCC and application security
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council supports artistic practice across New York through residencies, grants, the River To River festival and its Governors Island Arts Center. The SU-CASA scheme operates with local senior centres as active partners, and LMCC's site documents past resident teaching artists and juried selections. Use only the current SU-CASA application linked from LMCC's official site, and confirm identification, fees, centre assignment rules, reporting and safeguarding policies before providing personal details.
Official application and eligibility details
Important editorial notice
This article independently summarises and edits an external opportunity and does not replace the organiser's rules. Eligibility, deadlines, costs, application links and award terms can change, and summaries may contain interpretation or update delays. Before applying, paying or sharing personal data, verify all current rules on the organiser's official website. In case of a difference, the organiser's official conditions prevail.