In addition to our grant programs, CAH hosts events around the city and presents exhibitions in our 200 I (Eye) Street Gallery in Southeast DC.
To request reasonable accommodations or more information about accessibility at DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at [email protected]. We recommend making requests at least 5 business days in advance.
Repeating Events:
- Commissioner Meetings
- Our next Full Commission regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 ET on Monday, January 26th. Members of the public are invited to observe the meeting live online on CAH’s YouTube channel.
- Members of the public may request three minutes to speak during the public comment period held at this meeting. Requests must be submitted by no later than Noon ET on Thursday, January 22nd.
- Written comments may also be submitted by no later than Noon ET on Thursday, January 22nd, as an alternative or in addition to spoken comments. Public comments, both spoken and written, will be included in the public record of the meeting.
- Grant Workshops
- CAH conducts free workshops for participants to learn about the agency’s funding opportunities and how to submit an application. All dates, times, and locations listed are subject to change.
- Live Chat Sessions
- CAH conducts free live web chat sessions for participants to learn about the agency’s funding opportunities and how to submit an application. All dates, times, and locations listed are subject to change.
- In Person Office Hours
- Have questions about grants current or future? Stop by our office at 200 I (Eye) St SE and speak with our grant manager in person!
Upcoming Events:
- Arts Education:
- Words on Fire Poetry Festival
- Poetry Out Loud (POL) A National Poetry Recitation Competition; sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, CAH administers the DC regional POL Words on Fire (WOF) A Multidisciplinary Youth-Centered Poetry & Performance Event designated for 8th-12th grade students interested in creating and performing original works.
- Poetry Out Loud and Words on Fire Poetry Festival will take place on Saturday March 7th from 11:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., location TBA.
- 8th-12th grade audience members will be welcomed to participate in A SLAM Poetry and open mic segment concluding the Poetry Out Loud competition.
- 13 DCPS and DCPCS Schools have confirmed participation in both Poetry Out Loud and/ Words on Fire competition. Schools interested in participating should contact Arts Learning Coordinator, Andrea Brown at, [email protected] no later than Friday, January 30.
- Poetry Out Loud (POL) A National Poetry Recitation Competition; sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, CAH administers the DC regional POL Words on Fire (WOF) A Multidisciplinary Youth-Centered Poetry & Performance Event designated for 8th-12th grade students interested in creating and performing original works.
- Words on Fire Poetry Festival
- The Business of the Arts:
- The Business of the Arts program aims to provide knowledge and skills through resources and workshops. It has focused on fundraising and development, marketing and public relations, as well as legal concerns and entrepreneurship. Free workshops and seminars are led by accomplished professionals and subject matter experts.
- Upcoming Workshops:
- January 21, 2026
- Public Art Building Communities (PABC) - Head Start
- 6 pm - 7:30 pm via Zoom
- Join us online to learn how the PABC grant supports the design, fabrication, and installation of permanent or temporary public artwork.
- February 2026
- Tax Considerations for Artists
- For additional inquiries, you may contact us at [email protected].
- January 21, 2026
- Upcoming Workshops:
- The Business of the Arts program aims to provide knowledge and skills through resources and workshops. It has focused on fundraising and development, marketing and public relations, as well as legal concerns and entrepreneurship. Free workshops and seminars are led by accomplished professionals and subject matter experts.
- Public Art:
- Inside Out: Dignity and the Art of Seeing
- Curators: Emma Pearce and Vikki Tobak
- Thursday, January 15, 2026 – Friday, March 6, 2026
- Inside Out: Dignity and the Art of Seeing is a groundbreaking exhibition that turns the camera around, placing power and self-perception in the hands of incarcerated photographers whose images and stories stand as a testament to the way image-making can change lives.
- Opening Reception
- Thursday, January 15, 2026
- 6 pm – 8 pm
- 200 I (Eye) Street SE
- Washington, DC 20003
- Artist Talk
- Thursday, February 5, 2026
- 6 pm – 7:30 pm
- 200 I (Eye) Street SE
- Washington, DC 20003
- This artist talk will be moderated by Vikki Tobak in conversation with Ghia Ridley Hobbs (WBR Empowerment Legacy Foundation, Inc.), Nicole Porter (The Sentencing Project) and photographers Beverly Price, Karen Ruckman, and Bernard Seaborn.
- Closing Reception
- Thursday, March 5, 2026
- 6 pm – 8 pm
- 200 I (Eye) Street SE
- Washington, DC 20003
- This reception will also celebrate the launch of the exhibition catalog and will feature musical guests Loc’d N Band and the Fearless Praise Gospel Singers
- Inside Out: Dignity and the Art of Seeing
Recent Events:
- Supercharge Annual Funds with Major Gifts Fundraising
- Tuesday, November 25, 2025