[2][3] It is part of a network of national not-for-profit arts organizations founded to support individual artists and emerging arts organizations, with a mission to "empower artists in all disciplines at critical stages in their creative lives.
NYFA has since expanded their programming around the country and internationally focusing on four core program areas: Artists' Fellowships, Fiscal Sponsorship,[5] Professional Development, and Online Resources.
As of 2021, the Executive Director is Michael Royce,[6] who succeeded long time leader Ted Berger.
Artists who have received support from NYFA early on in their careers include Spike Lee, David Hammons, Meredith Monk, Julie Taymor, E.V.
Day, George Ranalli, Suzan-Lori Parks, Jennifer Egan, Tony Kushner, Andres Serrano, Juan Gonzalez, Todd Haynes, Boryana Rossa, Lisa Park, Ina Norris, Flavio Alves, Catherine Lacey, Trisha Brown, Norman Rush, Lynne Sharon Schwartz, Sherrie Levine, Jackson Mac Low, Lynne Tillman, Shilpa Ananth, and other visual artists, writers, choreographers, architects, filmmakers, and inter-disciplinary artists.