CAH utilizes an online grant portal to receive grant applications.
- Read the RFA guidelines (this document) and determine eligibility.
- Visit dcarts.dc.gov' "Resources for Grant Applicants" page and select the “Grant Application Portal” to register using the “Sign Up today” link.
- Once registered, select My Open Applications, and click on “New Application” on the right side of the screen, then select “Art Exhibition Grant” Program from the program list.
- Complete the application questions, budget, and other uploads.
- Upload all required documents, supplementary material, and work samples.
All applications must be submitted online by 9:00 PM ET on Monday, June 30, 2025. A confirmation email generates automatically upon submission of the application. Technical issues or failure to receive a confirmation email should be brought to the immediate attention of CAH staff.
Incomplete or late applications or applications that do not follow the instructions and guidelines are deemed ineligible for review and funding. CAH does not accept mailed, emailed or hand-delivered copies of grant applications and/or the required attachments. CAH will accept reasonable accommodation requests from applicants with disabilities in advance of the application due date to assist them in submitting grant applications via mail, email or hand- delivery. To request a reasonable accommodation please contact [email protected] and await request approval.
CAH’s grant application process is competitive and subject to the availability of funds. Applicants may not request or receive funding for the same activities through more than one CAH program or grant category. Multiple applicants may not apply for funding for the same project, whether through the same or different grant programs. The same project cannot receive multiple grants from CAH. Applicants may submit only one application per year for this grant program.
Applicants are fully responsible for the content of their application packages. CAH staff are not permitted to make corrections to applications on behalf of applicants. An automated confirmation of an application’s submission does not guarantee an applicant’s eligibility or recommendation for funding by the advisory review panel.
The grant period is from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. Grant funds may not be used for activities that occur outside of this grant period.
A. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
CAH staff members are available to assist grant applicants with preparing the application through group or individual technical assistance. CAH staff members will not write applications for applicants. CAH staff members are available to review draft applications for thirty (30) minute appointments, on government business days up to one (1) week prior to the grant application deadline.
To schedule an individual technical assistance meeting, please contact Michelle May-Curry, CAH Curator at 202-215-9486 or [email protected]. Please note that CAH requests the applicant prepare and deliver (by e-mail or via the online grants portal) their full draft application proposal along with any questions in advance of scheduling a meeting for agency staff assistance.
B. APPLICATION WORKSHOPS
CAH conducts free workshops for participants to learn useful information about the agency’s funding opportunities and how to submit a grant application. All workshops are free and open to the public; however, participants are strongly encouraged to RSVP. Current workshops are scheduled virtually for the following dates:
- Thursday, May 15, 2025; 10 - 11:30 am
- Wednesday, May 28, 2025; 4 - 5:30 pm
- Monday, June 9, 2025; 12 - 1:30 pm
More information about the workshops and registration may be found at dcarts.dc.gov under Grant Writing Assistance, or by calling CAH at 202-724-5613.
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