The Commission on the Arts and Humanities (“CAH” or “the Agency”) seeks applications for the FY27 Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program (AHFP). AHFP furthers CAH’s mission by encouraging progress in the arts and humanities in the District of Columbia by supporting qualified individual artists and humanities practitioners who 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 and supports the vitality that those individuals bring to the local community.
AHFP is open to ten (10) arts and humanities disciplines by which applications are organized for the purpose of evaluation, referred to as “paneling”. Information on the panel process is located in Section V of this document. Applicants shall select one of the following categories that best represents their discipline, and how they wish to be reviewed:
- Craft & Design Arts
- Dance
- Go-Go Artists
- Humanities & Literary Arts
- Interdisciplinary
- Media Arts
- Music
- Teaching Artists
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
Past applicants and grantees have included actors, archeologists, authors, curators, dancers, directors, filmmakers, historians, instrumentalists, mixed-media artists, muralists, painters, photographers, podcasters, poets, preservationists, producers, puppeteers, scholars, sculptors, singers, stage designers, and more, including practitioners of experimental or interdisciplinary mediums. Arts and humanities practitioners of all levels and career status are encouraged to apply.
A. Grant Activities
AHFP grantees shall expend funds for allowable costs in support of progress in the arts and humanities in the District of Columbia. AHFP grantees must demonstrate through their arts and humanities practice the ways in which their ongoing creative work aligns with CAH’s mission to encourage diverse artistic expressions and learning opportunities, so that all DC residents and visitors may experience the rich culture of the city.
B. 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.
C. Access and Equal Opportunity
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 reasonable accommodations or more information about accessibility at CAH, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at [email protected]. We recommend making requests at least five (5) business days in advance.