NEW YORK, NY –
Sounds of Cyprus, the acclaimed cultural group which celebrates the island’s traditional music, has received a Support for Artists grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support their new Sounds of Cyprus project, “Dialects – The Greek, Turkish, and Arabic Experience.”
Sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), and under the auspices of the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York, this award will fund the development, rehearsal process, and public presentation of an intercultural music program that explores the linguistic and musical intersections of Greek, Turkish, and Arabic dialect traditions in Cyprus through new arrangements, ethnographic research, and community engagement.
Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded $80.9 million in FY 2026 to arts and culture nonprofits across all 10 regions and a historic number of artists.
“New York’s arts and culture sector is a cornerstone of the state’s identity, and we’re making bold investments to ensure it remains strong”, Governor Hochul said. “These grants will lift up artists and organizations in every region, fueling local economies and expanding access to the arts. Congratulations to all the grantees – your talent and dedication help power New York’s future”.
New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Erika Mallin said, “During these challenging times, the New York State Council on the Arts has been a stalwart and innovative funder. These grants will serve artists and organizations in every region and county, fueling our economy and serving our communities. We know this support isn’t just an investment in the arts; it’s an investment in New York’s future. Congratulations to all our FY2026 grantees and thank you for your perseverance, your creativity, and your tireless service to New York State”.
New York State Council on the Arts Chair Patrick Willingham said, “With the unwavering support of Governor Hochul and our Legislature, the Council is proud to congratulate this year’s grantees, whose collective efforts strengthen and benefit us all. I also want to recognize the work of NYSCA’s panelists, staff, and the entire Council, whose dedication has ensured that this critical support will reach every corner of New York State”.
About the New York State Council on the Arts
The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award over $161 million in FY 2026, serving organizations and artists across all 10 state regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York’s creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources.
Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch.
For more information on NYSCA, please visit arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.
About the Project: “Dialects – The Greek, Turkish, and Arabic Experience”
Sounds of Cyprus, co-founded Peter Douskalis and Elena Chris, and directed by Peter Douskalis, presents a new artistic initiative examining how dialect, identity, and musical practice intersect across the Greek, Turkish, and Arabic-speaking communities of Cyprus and the broader Eastern Mediterranean.
This project brings together musicians, tradition-bearers, scholars, and community voices to illuminate shared histories and expressive traditions through reimagined folk repertoire, oral histories, and multilingual performance.
Public performance details for the 2026 season are forthcoming.
Concept video of the grant project, filmed at a 2025 event funded by the Flushing Town Hall regrant program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eouThYEbq0M
For more information, follow @soundsofcyprus on social media and visit: www.soundsofcyprus.com or call (347) 234-5609
