A, Application Submission Portal
CAH utilizes an online grant portal to receive grant applications. The ABP application may be found online in the CAH Grant Application Portal. Incomplete, incorrect, or late applications may be deemed ineligible for review and funding.
B. Artwork Submission Requirements
1. Submit Images of artwork for consideration:
- Individual applicants (metropolitan area artists) can include up to three (3) artworks.
- District nonprofit art galleries or arts organizations can include up to ten (10) artworks from any combination of two (2) or more metropolitan area artists.
- Please submit one image per artwork showing the full artwork. No detail shots will be accepted.
- All applicants are allowed to submit multi-part artwork(s), including diptychs or triptychs. These artworks will count as one artwork within the allowable maximum for portfolio submission from individual artists, three (3), and nonprofit organizations, ten (10). Works in a series will not be accepted.
2. Submitted artworks must follow the below eligibility requirements for acquisition:
- Artwork shall be a recent body of artwork within ten (10) years of submission and/or significant to the history of visual art in the District (for example, significance may be in relation to depictions of historical moments, places and spaces, and figures) and/or significant to the full representation of the artist’s career currently not in the collection;
- EXCEPTION: artwork submitted for the 40th Anniversary Collection may be created prior to 2016. Please note that artwork may be submitted to both the regular art bank as well as the special 40th Anniversary Collection, however any artwork submitted that was created prior to 2016 will only be considered for the 40th Anniversary Collection.
- “District Nonprofit Galleries and Nonprofit Organizations may submit an application that includes artworks by artists who are no longer living provided the artists’ practices were based in and primarily serving the District and that the applicant is able to certify clear title and ownership of the artwork.” (through written letter of consent from the estate, and the artwork relationships and copyright form)
- Artwork shall be in excellent condition, with no damage or conservation requirements;
- Artwork shall be composed of archival materials and considered sustainable for a permanent collection (archival means materials conform to industry standards and production for durable and permanent work(s) of art);
- Artworks shall not be part of a site-specific installation or require ceiling hanging for display;
- Artwork shall not exceed seventy-two (72) inches in any direction. Wall sculpture may only extend six (6) inches from the wall;
- Sculptures shall not exceed thirty-six (36) inches in height or twenty-four (24) inches in width or depth;
- The overall weight of any single wall-mounted artwork shall not exceed sixty (60) pounds; the overall weight of any sculpture that stands on a pedestal shall not exceed one hundred (100) pounds. Any sculpture shall be displayable on the wall or a pedestal, covered with plexiglass.
- All artwork submitted shall be available for acquisition at the time of submission. Applicants may not substitute works not included in the original application;
- Artwork submitted for consideration by nonprofit District art galleries or arts organizations shall be from artists who meet all individual eligibility requirements above; and,
- Each artwork shall be priced at $15,000 or lower. Pricing for this grant must match prices offered at galleries, at auction, in studios, and/or on artists websites. The total grant awarded to a single applicant shall not exceed $15,000 (individuals) or $25,000 (nonprofit art galleries or organizations).
3. Selected List of Prohibited Materials
- Bound books;
- Living plant materials, including soil;
- Preserved or live insects and animals,
- Raw food items, including but not limited to fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, dried beans, herbs, spices, and grains;
- Liquids, including but not limited to water, in unsealed or sealed containers;
- Requires electricity, batteries, or has lighting components;
- Materials that produce vapor, smoke, mists, and/or odors;
- Flammable, toxic, volatile, and/or explosive materials;
- Weapons or firearms.
CAH hopes to celebrate all artistic cultural forms through the Art Bank Collection and is sensitive to the diversity of materials that express cultural, ethnic, and national history. Due to preservation and conservation capacity of this municipal collection, all materials are reviewed for archival longevity. For consultation on whether materials used in your artwork fall under the above prohibited categories, please contact the grant manager for clarification.
C. Mandatory Application Material Requirements
In addition to the required narrative questions within the online application, applicants must submit additional documents with the application. Documents must be uploaded in PDF form through the CAH Grants Application Portal prior to the application deadline. Templates and instructions for compliance documents are available in Resources for Grant Applicants.
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Mandatory Documents For All Individuals and Organizations |
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| 1 | Narrative Questions | Answer narrative questions in the application portal. | ||
| 2 | Artist Statement |
Please briefly describe (250 words or less) the art-making process and how it relates to the artwork(s) presented in the application. District nonprofit art galleries and arts organizations that are submitting more than one artist must include a statement for each artist with all the statements in one application response. |
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| 3 | Artist Impact Statement |
Please briefly describe (250 words or less) how the artist represents and commits to the growth of the arts in Washington, DC. Explain how a grant to acquire the artwork will support the artist’s practice and the DC arts community if included in the Art Bank Collection. District nonprofit art galleries and arts organizations that are submitting more than one impact statement must include the statements in one application response. |
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4 |
Artist Resume(s) |
Provide a current list of exhibitions, publications, commissions, collections, and education.
District nonprofit art galleries and arts organizations that are submitting more than one artist resume must include the resumes in one document. |
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5 |
Image Identification List |
Submit information listing the details of each uploaded artwork.
Example Identification Image List: 1. Artist Name 2. Artist Name |
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6 |
Artwork Files |
Up to three (3) High-quality JPEG files. Files should not exceed 5MB each.
Artwork File Labeling – Identify image files by the Identification Image List number, artist’s last name followed by the artwork title. Example of File Labeling: |
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7 |
Certificate of Clean Hands |
Issued within thirty (30) days before the application deadline. Applicants may visit the following site to obtain more information: mytax.dc.gov |
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8 |
Statement of Certification |
Ensures applicant has met and will maintain all qualifying criteria for certification for duration of award. Date must match ABP application submission |
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9 |
Signed IRS Form W-9 |
The applicant’s address must match the address in the grants portal, the address on file with the District’s Integrated Financial System (DIFS) and the address on file in the DC Government’s vendor registration system (PASS). The March 2024 version of IRS Form W-9 must be used and have the same date as the ABP application submission. Post office boxes are prohibited. |
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10 |
Artwork Relationship and Copyright Warranty Form |
Indicates applicant’s right to submit the artwork for consideration for acquisition into the Art Bank Collection. |
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11 |
Proof of Residency |
If a valid driver’s license or REAL ID are unavailable, please submit two (2) other documents demonstrating proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement. Documentation should indicate the applicant has been a DC resident, or an artist with a practice based in and primarily serving the District for at least one year. |
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Additional Mandatory Documents for Organizations |
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1 |
Written letter of consent |
A signed letter from each artist included in the application, indicating agreement for their work to be offered to the Art Bank Collection |
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2 |
IRS Letter of Determination |
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3 |
DC Tax Certificate of Incorporation |
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4 |
IRS Form 990 |
Fiscal Year 2024 or most recently completed fiscal year. |
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Applicants are fully responsible for the content of their application materials. An automated confirmation of an applicant’s submission does not guarantee an applicant’s eligibility and therefore review by the advisory review panel (see below, “Review Process”). CAH staff are not permitted to make corrections to applications on behalf of applicants. CAH staff reviews applications for completeness and contacts applicants for any incomplete compliance documents after the application deadline. Applicants are then responsible for updating their application by the stated deadline. Failure to do so will disqualify the application.
View Eligibility Information <— | —> View Navigating the Grant Application Process