The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) requests applications from qualified artists and District nonprofit art galleries or organizations for its Fiscal Year 2027 Art Bank Program. Award amounts vary but eligible individual applicants may be awarded up to $15,000 and nonprofit art galleries or organizational applicants may be awarded up to $25,000.
Each year, CAH acquires fine art from metropolitan artists to grow its Art Bank Collection. Artwork in the collection the Public Arts Department of CAH and loaned to District government agencies for display in public areas and the offices of government buildings. Now in its 40th year, the Art Bank Collection includes nearly 3,000 artworks in various media.
CAH seeks grant applications from qualified artists and District nonprofit art galleries or organizations representing metropolitan artists for the acquisition of original two- and three- dimensional artwork including, but not limited to:
|
· Ceramics · Collage · Drawings |
· Fabric Arts · Mixed media · Paintings |
· Photographs · Prints · Sculptures |
For this grant, metropolitan artist is defined as a legal resident of Washington, DC, or an individual based in and primarily serving the District, for at least one (1) year prior to the application deadline.
Art Bank 40th Anniversary Historical Acquisition Theme Year
In addition to our regular submissions, in celebration of the Art Bank Collection’s 40th anniversary this year, CAH seeks artworks for submission to a special “Historical Acquisition” thematic subcategory. For purposes of this submission, historical acquisitions are defined as:
- Artwork that depicts people, historical moments, places, or events that are important to DC’s vibrant history and culture; and/or
- Artworks created prior to 2016 by established metropolitan artists that constitute a significant acquisition and cultural asset to the District.
CAH will award selected applicants (“grantees”) a grant for the permanent acquisition of artwork into the Art Bank Collection. CAH grant funds must be spent within CAH’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 2027) (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027).
This grant is competitive. The total grant award will not exceed $15,000 for individuals and $25,000 for nonprofit art galleries or organizations. Each individual artwork must be priced at $15,000 or lower. To promote a broader reach, only one artwork will be acquired per awarded artist. Awards to nonprofit art galleries and organizations are limited to one artwork per submitted artist and cannot exceed $25,000 in total. Artwork prices submitted for this grant must match prices offered at galleries, at auction, in studios, and/or on artists’ websites.
Award amounts are subject to CAH’s availability of funds and are based upon the organization’s Advisory Review Panel score and ranking.
Program Goals
- Grow the District’s collection of art to reflect the rich, diverse artistic history and communities of the District of Columbia and metropolitan region.
- Provide support, exposure, and professional benefit for visual artists residing in the District of Columbia and metropolitan region.
- Enhance the aesthetic experience for District employees and visitors that access District of Columbia government buildings, services, and public spaces.
A. Statutory Authority
CAH has grantmaking authority under the Commission on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1975, as amended (D.C. Law 1-22; D.C. Official Code § 39-204).
Highlighting Culture & Community
CAH encourages all applicants to demonstrate their commitment to our community-centered framework of equality, cultural awareness, universal access, and community engagement throughout the application process. This may include highlighting the following:
- Addressing how the artwork factors in the varying access, engagement, and economic needs of the DC residents expected to interact with the work.
- Supplying evidence of community benefit by providing examples in their written materials of how the work highlights DC's distinct historical, linguistic, and cultural makeup.
- Describing ways DC’s unique communities will be authentically represented, positively impacted, and thoroughly celebrated through the work, along with other relevant considerations.