Art Bank Program
In support of local visual artists and District nonprofit art organizations, CAH acquires studio artwork by metropolitan artists to become part of the permanent Art Bank Collection. New artwork is added annually through a competitive grant called the Art Bank Program Grant. CAH manages the artwork from this municipal collection and oversees the Art Bank Loan Program. Artwork is loaned to District Government Agencies and Council offices for display in public areas within DC government buildings. The Art Bank Collection, which started in 1986, has over 3,000 artworks.
The Art Bank Collection aims to build a history of the visual arts in DC. Most of the artists represented have at one time in their career been involved in shaping the artistic landscape of the District or were inspired by events taking place here. Whether they were acquired early in their career before moving elsewhere, or whether they have lived and worked here their entire career, their artwork tells a story about our city.
To inquire about the Art Bank Loan Program for artwork placement in a District Government agency or Council office, please contact Ron Humbertson, Registrar, at [email protected] and Luisa Hammond, Assistant Registrar, at [email protected].
The Art Bank Collection can be viewed online at dcarts.emuseum.com
ABP Request for Applications
The FY 2026 ABP RFA closed on Monday, May 19, 2025..
The FY 2027 ABP RFA will be released in Spring, 2026.
Wilson Building Art Collection
The largest display of artwork from the Art Bank is the Wilson Building Collection at the John A. Wilson Building in downtown DC entitled "The HeArt of DC." In 2006, the DC Creates! Public Art Program acquired 153 works of art representing 100 Metropolitan area artists for the inaugural phase of the City Hall Art Collection. In 2008, the program made another acquisition bringing the number of pieces to over 200. To celebrate the 15th Year of the collection in 2021, CAH worked with local curators and the Mayor’s office to select 8 new artworks to be added to the collection by artists from each ward of the city.
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. In addition to supporting the work of living artists through art purchases, we were able to enhance the collection with the work of nationally recognized DC artists including Gene Davis and Alma Thomas. By presenting art outside traditional venues of museums and galleries, the Wilson Building Collection benefits the community and its visitors by increasing 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 Wilson Building 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.