Art of Water and Waterways
The District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) requests applications from qualified artists for its Fiscal Year 2027 Juried Exhibition Grant (JEG). JEG provides support for District-based artists to exhibit their work in a juried, themed visual art exhibition through grant awards and the use of CAH’s exhibition space located in the lobby of 200 I Street, SE (“Gallery”).
In a city defined (and divided) by its rivers, water functions not only as a natural force but also as a cultural one. This Request for Applications (RFA) seeks works for an exhibition that will bring together DC-resident artists whose work engages water and waterways as sites of stewardship, displacement, spiritual reflection, environmental injustice, recreation, adventure, and collective futures. CAH welcomes work that approaches water as subject, collaborator, force, or framework, expanding the conversation around how contemporary art can deepen public engagement with our shared ecosystem.
Of special interest are works about the Anacostia watershed, the Chesapeake region, and the many human and ecological communities shaped by our local waterways. Artists may also wish to engage with local, national and/or global tidal flows, stormwater systems, Indigenous water knowledge, climate activism, and the lived experiences of residents who navigate both environmental risk and environmental beauty. Public programs will activate partnerships with scientists, policy advocates, and community groups, situating artistic practice within ongoing conversations about restoration, resilience, and access.
| RFA Released | Monday, October 19, 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | Monday, November 30, 2026, at 4:59 pm ET |
| Jury Panel to Select Finalists | Late-January, 2027 |
| Notifications Made to Applicants of Finalist Selections | Mid-March, 2027 |
| Awarded Grantee Delivers Artwork for Exhibition to CAH at 200 I Street SE. | May 31 to June 4, 2027 |
| Exhibition Dates | June 10 to August 6, 2027 |
Workshops
To improve the strength of applications, CAH strongly recommends participating in one of the following virtual workshops listed below. All workshops are virtual, free, and open to the public. Interested applicants may register for workshops via Eventbrite.
| Workshop | Time |
| JEG Application Workshop #1 | Monday, October 26, Noon to 1:30 pm |
| JEG Application Workshop #2 | Monday, November 9, 4 to 5:30 pm [updated from Wed, Nov 11,1 to 2:30 pm] |
| JEG Application Workshop #3 | Tuesday, November 24, 10 to 11:30 am |
Click here to register for a workshop via Eventbrite
RFA
View the JEG documents by downloading the PDFs or visiting the links. You can also navigate the RFA on our website using the Table of Contents below.
Key Links
- Certificate of Clean Hands
- Form W-9
- Grant Application Portal
- Gallery Dimensions and Pictures
- Questions for Individuals
- Statement of Certification
- Resources for Grant Applicants
Table of Contents
- Description of Funding Opportunity
- Award Information
- Eligibility Information
- Application and Submission Information
- Navigating the Grant Application Process
- Application and Review Information
- Award Administration Information
- CAH Contact