Please prepare and submit the following documents to your application online:

• Current CV/Resume.  Artist or artist team CV/resume, two (2) page maximum.
• Artist Statement. Describe your (or Artist Team’s) approach to public art and your experience with large-scale exterior mural work, youth engagement, and community-based projects. (500 words max)
• Community Statement. Describe a specific project which you co-created with community members and/or students. Provide details about how you conducted the community engagement, methodologies used, and list at least one unexpected challenge that came up and how you resolved it. (500 words max)
• Returning Grantee Statement. Have you completed two or more Color the Curb: School Safety Program murals in the past? If so, please explain your interest in returning to the program. What would you bring differently to this year? (This statement will be considered as part of the Community Impact review criteria section). (500 words max)
• Work Samples. Five (5) to ten (10) images of previous relevant/public artwork submitted as high-quality JPG files. Image files are uploaded to Submittable on the application portal. Do not use gifs, tiffs, or other image formats. If an Artist Team, samples of the artist team’s work must be submitted identifying their samples. Please do not embed images into PowerPoint or PDF documents.
• Work Sample Statement. Describe how the content of the uploaded work samples represents the applicant and explain how they are relevant to the program. If an Artist Team, submit at least one project that you created together. If this is the first-time artist team, describe how your styles and practices would work together for this program. (300 words max)
• Image Identification List Table. Complete the table under each work sample upload with corresponding details to the submitted images within the application. If an Artist Team, clearly define each artist/s’ work samples and the lead artist. Provide all requested details for each image.
  • Identification List Details:
    • Artist Name
    • Lead Artist/Artist’s Role on the Project (noting section(s) painted)
    • Title, Date
    • Medium
    • Size - Dimensions
    • Location
    • Project Budget
    • Community Engagement: Explain the level of community engagement involved in this work sample. (300 words max)
• All CAH Compliance Documents. Applicants must submit the following seven (7) Compliance Documents (templates and instructions are here: https://dcarts.dc.gov/page/resources-grant-applicants)
  1. Written Security Statement (Word Doc) dated at the time of application that confirms the applicant (artist/artist team) will submit to all required background checks as instructed by DCPS if selected (see Background Check section page 7).
  2. Certificate of Clean Hands obtained from Office of Tax and Revenue dated within thirty (30) days of application.
  3. Statement of Certification dated and signed at the time of application.
  4. IRS Form W-9 (version Mar-2023) for the applicant dated and signed within 30 days of application
  5. Proof of Past or Current Insurance Carriers and Policies or the past ability to acquire a policy. . If an applicant is chosen, the grantee shall procure and maintain insurances including, but not limited to, the following: commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) per occurrence. Grantee shall procure property insurance, with limits equal to the completed value of the piece. Other insurance requirements will apply.
  6. Artist Copyright Warranty Form

  7. 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.

Submission Deadline – Completed applications must be received and uploaded to the grant portal by Monday, November 16, 2026, at 5 pm EST. Failure to submit mandatory documents in the application will result in disqualification.

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