Prospective grant applicants should read through the grant program’s Request for Applications (RFA) in its entirety before submitting an application.
Deadlines vary by program. All grant awards are made subject to the availability of funds. CAH offers grant writing workshops and other forms of application assistance for all open grant programs.
CAH accepts applications for volunteer grant review panelists on an ongoing basis.
All Programs
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.
Art Exhibition Grant (Curatorial) Program
This competitive grant program provides support for the development and public presentation of visual art exhibitions by District resident curators. The program does this through grant support and use of CAH’s exhibition spaces. Exhibition space is both within the building lobby 200 I (Eye) Street Galleries and on CAH's virtual platform. If the gallery is unavailable, the exhibitions will be installed on the on-line platform only. Applicants must be individuals with prior curatorial experience.
Arts and Humanities Education Project Grant Program
The Arts or Humanities Education Project (AHEP) offers support to qualified nonprofit organizations. These organizations are in the arts, humanities, arts education, and service sectors. The grant supports delivering exemplary programs in arts and/or humanities education. These programs target students in grades pre-K to 12 and older adults ages 50 and up. Eligible programs can also assist teachers, educational staff, and teaching artists of Public Schools and Public Charter Schools in DC.
Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program
The AHFP program furthers CAH's mission by encouraging progress in the arts and humanities in the District of Columbia. The program supports qualified individual artists and humanities practitioners. These individuals significantly contribute to the District of Columbia as a world-class cultural capital. AHFP recognizes the impact of individual artists and humanities practitioners within the District. It also supports the vitality that those individuals bring to the local community.
Capital Projects (formerly Facilities and Buildings)
Provides support to arts and humanities organizations pursuing capital projects and capital purchases. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: project planning, professional services, equipment purchases, renovations, repairs, and facility purchases.
Color the Curb
The District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) has partnered with the District of Department of Transportation (DDOT), as well as District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), to fund District-based artists experienced in large-scale exterior murals, youth engagement, and community-based projects to design and install ground murals at the intersections near schools in Washington, DC. Selected artists are grant funds for design, materials, fabrication, installation, personnel, and project management.
Commissioned Projects
Supports the Creation and installation of public artworks in public space in collaboration with other District agencies and/or community partners.
East Arts Grant Program (formerly East of the River)
The East Arts Project (EA) grant offers support to qualified nonprofit organizations. Eligible organizations identify as BIPOC-centered organizations (Black, Indigenous, and people of color). This grant program supports providing exemplary arts and humanities experiences to residents in Northeast and Southeast DC.
Field Trip Experiences
This grant program supports various field trip elements. This grant program supports various field trip elements. These elements can include the cost of field trip tickets. Additionally, they could cover professional development opportunities for classroom educators. They could also include pre/post-field trip workshops for students. Funding may also be allocated to needed personnel support for the planning and implementation of the program. Funding may also be allocated to needed personnel support for the planning and implementation of the program.
General Operating Support
The General Operating Support (GOS) grant provides general operating support for arts, humanities, and arts education organizations.
Juried Exhibition Grant Program
The Juried Exhibition Grant provides support for District-based artists to exhibit their work in a juried, themed visual art exhibition. In addition to the award, it also provides the use of the 200 I Street SE lobby exhibition space.
LiftOff Grant Program
The LiftOff grant offers support to qualified nonprofit organizations. Eligible organizations are in the arts, humanities, arts education, and service sectors. The grant provides an opportunity to build infrastructural capacities of arts and humanities through professional development. CAH will award select applicants (“grantees”) a grant of funds to support the delivery of their proposed project. CAH, in consultation with program consultants, makes recommendations for final capacity-building projects. Funding may only be used to cover costs associated with capacity-building projects. These projects should be directly related to the work plan. The work plan is developed in collaboration with the program consultants.
Projects, Events, or Festivals
The Projects, Events, or Festivals (PEF) grant provides project support for individuals and organizations to execute projects. Eligible projects promote arts and humanities activities to a diverse range of communities within the District of Columbia. CAH also encourages community-based projects that share characteristics such as geographic location, common interests, or collective identities.
Public Art Building Communities
Supports the design, fabrication, and installation of permanent or temporary public artwork. Eligible projects enhance District neighborhoods by connecting artists and their artwork with communities.