What's happening
This bill authorizes the New York State Council on the Arts to annually award ten young writers, ages 12-16, with $3,000 honorariums.
Why it matters
Encourages early literary achievement. By specifically awarding writers ages 12-16, the bill aims to validate and nurture creative talent during a formative period, potentially influencing recipients’ lifelong engagement with writing and the arts.
Targets New York youth statewide. The requirement that recipients be New York State residents ensures the benefits of the program are distributed within the state’s own communities, possibly reaching diverse and underserved populations.
Provides meaningful financial support. The $3,000 honorarium is a substantial sum for young people, which could be used to access further educational opportunities, purchase writing materials, or fund projects, lowering barriers to artistic development.
Institutional backing elevates prestige. Selection and guidelines by the New York State Council on the Arts not only add credibility but may also provide mentorship, networking, and recognition beyond the monetary award, opening doors for young writers’ futures.
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Who cares
New York writers ages 12–16
The bill would allow 10 eligible state residents each summer to receive awards with $3,000 honorariums, if the award and honorarium are established in statute.
New York State Council on the Arts
The council would be authorized to select recipients and would establish procedures, guidelines and standards for productive and meritorious creative writing.
Families of young writers
The bill would create a potential source of financial recognition for children ages 12–16 engaged in qualifying creative writing.
Headline styles
Honor Young NY Writers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5299
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 24, 2019
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
AN ACT to authorize the New York state council on the arts to provide awards to encourage and honor young writers in New York state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule, regulation or policy to the contrary, it shall be permissible for the New York state council on the arts to select each summer, 10 writers between the ages of 12 and 16, inclusive, to each receive an award with an honorarium of $3,000; if such honorarium and award is established in statute.
The procedures and guidelines as are necessary to effect the provisions of this act shall be established by the New York state council on the arts, but shall require at a minimum, that the candidates be residents of New York state, be between the ages of 12 and 16, inclusive, and be engaged in productive and meritorious creative writing endeavors as defined by the council, and that such awards will be granted in the summer months annually.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11302-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to authorize the New York state council on the arts to provide awards to encourage and honor young writers in New York state
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill authorizes the State Council on the Arts to establish a program to honor and encourage young writers, age 12 to 16, each summer.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 2. Authorizes the New York state council on the arts to select 10 writers between the ages of 12 and 16 engaged in productive and meri- torious creative writing to receive a $3,000 honorarium.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
New York should encourage the development of talent in the creative arts from an early age. Establishing a program to encourage and honor young creative writers is an important step to foster talent. This program would allow the council on the arts to develop an award to support young writers in the summer months, allowing these talented young artists to advance their craft and providing an important recognition for their efforts. Programs to support young writers in the Syracuse area such as the Downtown Writers Center's Young Authors Academy continue to develop new talent and encourage a flourishing of the creative arts.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.