The Commission on the Arts and Humanities (“CAH” or “the Agency”) seeks applications for the FY26 Arts and Humanities Education Projects (AHEP). AHEP furthers CAH’s mission by encouraging progress in the arts and humanities in the District of Columbia by supporting non-profit arts, humanities, arts education, and service organizations who significantly contribute to the District of Columbia as a world-class cultural capital. This grant opportunity has the following program goals:
- Provide access to high-quality arts and humanities experiences that work to advance student academic achievement in the District of Columbia.
- Strengthen the value of an arts and humanities education as a critical component of a student’s broader education.
- Support activities that are consistent with local and national learning standards for arts and humanities education, including the current state standards in non-arts content areas, where appropriate.
AHEP is open for projects of all sizes that demonstrate District impact and engage District children, youth, and older adults (those 50 years old or older).
Grants are competitive and applications are organized for review in cohorts based on the following qualifying project categories: (1) In-School Projects; (2) Out-of-School-Time Projects; (3) Professional Development Projects; or (4) Older Adult Projects.
Grant Project Types
The AHEP grant program provides support for the following types of projects:
- In-School Projects
Projects within the traditional school day that may include artist residencies, field trips, and arts integration opportunities. Projects shall connect to curricula standards and instructional programs occurring in the schools. Assessment and evaluation criteria should emphasize an intentional and comprehensive design. - Out-of-School-Time Projects
Projects during after-school, weekend, and/or summer hours. They may occur on school premises but are often facilitated by non-school arts and/or humanities providers. Priority is given to projects that engage participants multiple times throughout the year. - Professional Development Projects
High-quality training opportunities for educators that enhance their skills in an arts discipline or in the integration of standards-based arts and/or humanities instruction with non-arts academic content. The project shall target classroom educators, instructional staff, or teaching artists providing services at a DC public or public charter school. Applications may also include components of technological support to assist in the delivery of virtual arts and humanities experiences and for the purposes of data collection and analysis. - Older Adult Projects
Projects using a learning framework that is culturally relevant and experiential in design to advance the engagement of adults 50 years old or older, in the arts and humanities. Projects should take place in senior centers and/or senior residential facilities in the District. The applicant shall identify an older adult population to serve, possible partners as appropriate, and a letter of project commitment from the proposed project site.
Applicants who have applied to the FY 2026 cycle of CAH’s General Operating Support (GOS) grant and plan to accept an award in that category, may only apply to the FY 2026 AHEP grant if they (a) identify as an arts education organization and (b) their project scope is completely distinct from any of the projects or programs included in their FY 2026 GOS application. Applicants who are unsure if their project may qualify for this grant program are encouraged to contact a CAH grants manager.
Grant Activities
AHEP grantees should expend funds in support of progress in arts and humanities education in the District of Columbia.
Statutory Authority
Under D.C. Code §§ 39-201 – 206, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities 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 in the District of Columbia. CAH is supported by District government funds and, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts. As such, all applicable federal and District regulations, such as OMB Circulars A-102, A-133, 2 CFR 180, 2 CFR 225, 2 CFR 220, and 2 CFR 215 govern this grant.