Privacy Policy

This web site is designed to make it easier and more efficient for individuals and organizations to interact with the Council. NYSCA recognizes that it is critical for individuals and organizations to be confident that their privacy is protected when they visit the agency's web site.

Consistent with the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Law, and the Personal Privacy Protection Law, this policy describes the Council's privacy practices regarding information collected from users of this web site. This policy describes what information is collected and how that information is used. Because this privacy policy only applies to this web site, you should examine the privacy policy of any web site, including other state agency web sites, that you access using this web site.

For purposes of this policy, "personal information" means any information concerning a natural person, as opposed to a corporate entity, which, because of name, number, symbol, mark, or other identifier, can be used to identify that natural person. The Council only collects personal information about you when you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail or by initiating an on-line transaction, such as a survey, registration or order form.

When you visit this web site, NYSCA does not collect and store personal information about your visit.

Cookies

Cookies are simple text files stored on your web browser to provide a means of distinguishing among users of this web site. The use of cookies is a standard practice among Internet web sites. To better serve you, we use "session cookies" to customize your visit to this web site. Session cookies are created automatically on the device you use to access this state agency web site. These session cookies do not contain personal information and do not compromise your privacy or security. The session cookies are erased during operation of your browser or when your browser is closed.

The software and hardware you use to access this web site allow you to refuse new cookies or delete existing cookies. Refusing or deleting these cookies may limit your ability to take advantage of some features of this web site.

Information Collected When You Initiate an On-line Transaction

During your visit to this web site you may initiate a transaction such as a survey, registration, or application form. The information, including personal information, is volunteered by you in initiating the transaction, and is used by NYSCA to operate NYSCA programs, which include the provision of goods, services, and information. The information collected by NYSCA may be disclosed by the agency for those purposes that may be reasonably ascertained from the nature and terms of the transaction in connection with which the information was submitted. NYSCA does not knowingly collect personal information from children or create profiles of children through this web site. Users are cautioned, however, that the collection of personal information submitted in an e-mail or through an on-line transaction will be treated as though it was submitted by an adult, and may, unless exempted from access by federal or State law, be subject to public access. NYSCA strongly encourages parents and teachers to be involved in children's Internet activities and to provide guidance whenever children are asked to provide personal information on-line.

Disclosure of Information Collected Through This Web site

The collection of information through this web site and the disclosure of that information are subject to the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act. NYSCA will only collect personal information through this web site or disclose personal information collected through this web site if the user has consented to the collection or disclosure of such personal information. Participation in an on-line transaction resulting in the disclosure of personal information to the NYSCA by the user, whether solicited or unsolicited, constitutes consent to the collection and disclosure of the information by NYSCA for the purposes reasonably ascertainable from the nature and terms of the transaction.

However, NYSCA may collect or disclose personal information without user consent if the collection or disclosure is: (1) necessary to perform the statutory duties of NYSCA, or necessary for NYSCA to operate a program authorized by law, or authorized by state or federal statute or regulation; (2) made pursuant to a court order or by law; (3) for the purpose of validating the identity of the user; or (4) of information to be used solely for statistical purposes that is in a form that cannot be used to identify any particular person.

Further, the disclosure of information, including personal information, collected through this website is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Law and the Personal Privacy Protection Law. NYSCA may disclose personal information to federal or state law enforcement authorities to enforce NYSCA's rights against unauthorized access or attempted unauthorized access to NYSCA's information technology assets or against other inappropriate use of this web site.

Retention of Information Collected Through this Web site

The information collected through this web site is retained by NYSCA in accordance with the records retention and disposition requirements of the New York State Arts & Cultural Affairs Law. Information on the requirements of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Law may be found at Retention and Disposition of Legislative Records | New York State Archives (nysed.gov). In general, the Internet services logs of NYSCA, comprising electronic files or automated logs created to monitor access and use of agency services provided through this web site, are retained for 3 years and then destroyed. Information, including personal information, that you submit in an e-mail or when you initiate an on-line transaction such as a survey, registration form, or application form is retained in accordance with the records retention and disposition schedule established for the records of the program unit to which you submitted the information. Information concerning these records retention and disposition schedules may be obtained through the Internet privacy policy contact listed in this policy.

Access to and Correction of Personal Information Collected Through this Web site

Any user may submit a request to the NYSCA privacy compliance officer to determine whether personal information pertaining to that user has been collected through this web site. Any such request shall be made in writing to the address below and must be accompanied by reasonable proof of identity of the user. Reasonable proof of identity may include verification of a signature, inclusion of an identifier generally known only to the user, or similar appropriate identification. The address of the privacy compliance officer is:

Public Information Officer

New York State Council on the Arts
300 Park Ave South, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10010

The privacy compliance officer shall, within five (5) business days of the date of the receipt of a proper request: (i) provide access to the personal information; (ii) deny access in writing, explaining the reasons therefore; or (iii) acknowledge the receipt of the request in writing, stating the approximate date when the request will be granted or denied, which date shall not be more than thirty (30) days from the date of the acknowledgment. In the event that the Council has collected personal information pertaining to a user through this agency web site and that information is to be provided to the user pursuant to the user's request, the privacy compliance officer shall inform the user of his or her right to request that the personal information be amended or corrected under the procedures set forth in section 95 of the Public Officers Law.

Confidentiality and Integrity of Personal Information Collected Through this Web site

NYSCA is strongly committed to protecting personal information collected through this web site against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Consequently, NYSCA limits employee access to personal information collected through this web site to only those employees who need access to the information in the performance of their official duties. Employees who have access to this information are required to follow appropriate procedures in connection with any disclosures of personal information.

In addition, NYSCA has implemented procedures to safeguard the integrity of its information technology assets, including, but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. These security procedures have been integrated into the design, implementation, and day-to-day operations of this web site as part of our continuing commitment to the security of electronic content as well as the electronic transmission of information.

For web site security purposes and to maintain the availability of the web site for all users, NYSCA employs software to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise damage this web site.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this privacy policy should not be construed as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided through this web site.

Links

In order to provide users with certain information, NYSCA provides links to the web sites of local, state, and federal government agencies, and to the web sites of other organizations. A link does not constitute an endorsement of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services, or accessibility of that web site. Once you link to another web site from this web site, including one maintained by New York, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that web site, including, but not limited to, its Internet privacy policy.

Contact Information

For questions regarding this Internet privacy policy, please contact: [email protected] via email, or

Public Information Officer
New York State Council on the Arts
300 Park Ave South, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10010