The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) requests grant applications from qualified individuals and nonprofit organizations for exhibition proposals to take place in CAH’s gallery, located in the lobby of the 200 I (Eye) Street, SE building and/or CAH’s virtual gallery. Two (2) exhibition proposals will receive grants for curation and installation during FY26 (see schedule below). This grant is competitive.
RFA Release: Monday | May 5, 2025
Submission Deadline: Monday | June 30, 2025 | 9 pm EST
Award Notification: After October 1, 2025
The Art Exhibition (Curatorial) Grant Program (AEG) provides support for the development and public presentation of visual art exhibitions by District resident curators through grant support and use of CAH’s exhibition space and CAH's virtual platform. If for unforeseeable circumstances the gallery is unavailable, the exhibition will be displayed on the online platform only. Applicants must be individuals or non-profit organizations with prior curatorial experience.
CAH highly encourages partnering with a co-curator or curatorial mentee.
Individuals and non-profit organizations may request up to $30,000, or $35,000 if working with a co-curator or curatorial mentee. Applicants may submit one (1) Art Exhibition Grant application per fiscal year.
Incomplete or late applications or applications that do not follow the instructions and guidelines may be deemed ineligible for review and funding. Prospective applicants should read through this Request for Applications (RFA) in its entirety before applying.
Staff Contact:
Michelle May-Curry, Curator
[email protected] | 202-215-9486
Source of Funds: The source of funds for the grant(s) is the portion of the Agency’s annual grants budget allocated for grant programs established by CAH in accordance with D.C. Official Code § 39-205(c-1)(2)(A)(iii). CAH may make multiple awards under this RFA.
CAH’s Authority to Make Grants: CAH has grantmaking authority under the Commission on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1975, as amended (D.C. Law 1-22; D.C. Official Code § 39-204).
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is an independent agency within the District of Columbia government that evaluates and initiates action on matters relating to the arts and humanities and encourages the development of programs that promote progress in the arts and humanities. As the official arts agency for Washington, DC, CAH is supported by District government funds and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Government of the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities
200 I Street, SE, Suite 1400, Washington, DC 20003
202-724-5613 | dcarts.dc.gov
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (I.D.E.A.)
CAH embraces a commitment to the philosophy of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (I.D.E.A.) and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.) in its work. CAH encourages applicants and grantees to be inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible in their work throughout the District of Columbia, beyond participants with disabilities. Successful applications will consider a broad definition of “accessibility” by addressing financial, geographic, demographic, cultural, and developmental access in their programming/projects. Please review Addressing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (I.D.E.A.) in Grant Applications in the Guide to Grants for full details.
A. EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
|
Exhibition Dates |
|
Social Justice Themed Exhibition In celebration of Martin Luther King Day and Dr. King’s philosophy of The Beloved Community, CAH seeks exhibitions that explicitly uplift current or historic social issues of regional, national, or global significance. Topics may include but are not limited to: discrimination based on social identities such as gender, sexuality, race, class, or religion; ongoing conflicts related to citizenship, borderlands, and immigration, mass incarceration, healthcare, issues around housing and unhoused populations, etc. Jan 15, 2026 – March 6, 2026 |
|
Open Theme Exhibition CAH seeks exhibitions that showcase local and national artists and reflects the cultural vibrancy, relevant themes and issues, and current artmaking practices of the District and the larger arts landscape. April 2 – May 22, 2026 |
B. PROGRAM GOALS
- Provide the opportunity for District of Columbia resident curators and non-profit organizations with curatorial capacity to develop innovative and educational art exhibitions.
- Provide the opportunity for District of Columbia resident curators to bring existing art exhibitions previously mounted and organized in other cities to D.C.
- Provide unique exhibitions and related programs for District residents.