Art Bank Program
In support of local visual artists, District art galleries, and art nonprofit organizations, CAH acquires fine art. The ongoing and annual acquisition of art from metropolitan artists becomes a part of the Art Bank Collection. CAH manages artwork in the collection. It is then loaned to District Government agencies for display in public areas and offices of government buildings. The Art Bank Collection, which started in 1986, has nearly 3,000 artworks.
To inquire about Art Bank artwork placement in a DC government office, please contact Ron Humbertson, Registrar, [email protected].
The Art Bank Collection can be viewed online at dcarts.emuseum.com
FY 2025 ABP Request for Applications
The Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) requests applications from qualified artists and District nonprofit art galleries or organizations for its Fiscal Year 2025 Art Bank Program. Award amounts vary but eligible individual applicants may be awarded up to $15,000 and nonprofit art galleries or organizational applicants may be awarded up to $20,000.
| Release: | Monday, April 15, 2024 |
| Submission Deadline: | 9 pm ET, Tuesday, May 28, 2024 |
| Total Amount of Funding to be Awarded | Contingent upon funding |
| Anticipated Number of Awards: | Contingent upon the number of applicants |
| Expected Amount of Individual Awards: | TBD |
| Anticipated Award Date | On or after October 1, 2024 |
| Workshops and Live Chats: | RSVP Here |
Applications must be completed and submitted on time, following the instructions and guidelines provided. Any incomplete, late, or non-compliant applications will be automatically considered ineligible for review and funding. Prospective applicants should read through this RFA in its entirety before applying.
Staff Contacts:
- Michelle May-Curry | [email protected]
- Ron Humbertson | [email protected]
You can view the FY25 ABP documents by downloading the PDFs of the RFA and other documents. Alternatively, you can navigate the RFA on our website using the Table of Contents provided below.
- FY25 Art Bank Program RFA [PDF]
- FY25 Art Bank Program Q&A [PDF]
- FY25 Art Bank Questions for Individuals [PDF]
- FY25 Art Bank Questions for Organizations [PDF]
- Resources for Grant Applicants
Table of Contents
- Description of Funding Opportunity
- Award Information
- Eligibility Information
- Application and Submission Information
- Application and Review Information
- Award Administration Information
- CAH Contacts
Wilson Building Art Collection
"The HeArt of DC"
Located in the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.
This is a unique collection that presents original works of art outside traditional venues of museums and galleries. More than 200 pieces representing 115 metropolitan artists at the time of acquisition are on display in the Wilson Building hallways. Through this collection, residents and visitors have increased access to art, extending our cultural institutions’ reach, and providing artists with opportunities to expand their artistic practice and audience. The collection at the John A. Wilson Building is open to the public.
The collection, now in its 15th year started with an initial acquisition in 2006 of 153 works representing 100 metro artists. By 2008 more works were acquired bringing the total to more than 200 pieces. The collection showcases the extent and depth of our local visual arts talent. Over 10 percent of the artists were born in the District, and most have lived here for over 20 years
The HeArt of DC Collection can be viewed online at dcarts.emuseum.com.
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Top Banner: Art Bank Collection images, from left: Patricia Gerkin, Too Young for the Blues, 1999, Mixed media on paper, 20 × 26 in. | Christopher Romer, Passing Through, 2009, Wood, paint and hardware, 24 × 13 × 12 in. | Martin Percy, 22 Steps tp Sunrise, 2003, Archival Pigment Print, 29 1/2 x 21 1/2 in. | Lynn Putney, So Far (Oasis), 2007, Casein on panel, 12 × 12 in. | Kelly Towles, Return to Sender, 2003, Archival pigment print, 29 1/2 × 21 1/2 in.