PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 6, 2026
CONTACT:
Indya Wright (CAH) – 202-579-7360; [email protected]
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Celebrates 40 Years of the Art Bank Program and Announces 2026 Grant Cycle
(WASHINGTON, DC) — The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Art Bank Program—one of the District’s longest-standing and most impactful investments in local visual artists—while announcing the opening of the 2026 Art Bank Program Grant cycle.
Since its inception, the Art Bank Program has served as a cornerstone of the District’s commitment to supporting and uplifting metropolitan artists. Through this initiative, CAH purchases original two- and three-dimensional artworks which are added to the District’s public art collection and displayed in government buildings across the city. The Art Bank Collection stands as a national model for how cities can champion the visual arts at a civic level while directly investing in artists through the purchase of their work.
Today, the collection includes more than 3,000 works spanning decades, disciplines, and themes, with over 80% of the collection actively on view bringing local art into the daily lives of residents, workers, and visitors throughout Washington, DC.
“The Art Bank Program reflects the very best of what public investment in the arts can achieve,” said CAH Executive Director Aaron Myers. “For 40 years, it has not only supported the careers of local artists, but it also ensures that the story of Washington, DC is told through the voices, visions, and lived experiences of its creative community. As we mark this milestone, we remain committed to expanding access, preserving our cultural legacy, and celebrating the artists who shape our city.”
Applications for the 2026 Art Bank acquisition cycle will open on April 13, 2026, and close on May 18, 2026. Qualified individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations are encouraged to submit artwork for consideration.
In honor of the program’s 40th anniversary, CAH is introducing a special “Historical Acquisition” category. This optional subcategory invites submissions that:
- Depict people, places, events, or historical moments significant to DC’s culture and heritage; and/or
- Include works created prior to 2016 by established metropolitan artists that represent meaningful cultural assets for the District’s permanent collection
A curated selection of finalist works will be exhibited at CAH’s Eye Street Gallery from September through December 2026 as part of DC Art Now 2026, the agency’s annual Art Bank exhibition.
Beyond acquisition, the program serves as a critical entry point into CAH’s broader grant ecosystem for both emerging and established artists. It also functions as a valuable resource for educators, researchers, students, and the public, fostering learning and enhancing cultural literacy across the District.
For more information about the Art Bank Program and to apply, visit:
dcarts.dc.gov/public-art/art-bank
To explore the Art Bank Collection, visit:
dcarts.emuseum.com