DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

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DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities dcarts.dc.gov We provide financial support and conduct programming in three primary focus areas:

**DC Creates Public Art**
The purpose of the DC Creates!
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The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) provides grants, professional opportunities, education enrichment, other programs and services to individuals and nonprofit organizations in all communities within the District of Columbia. CAH is supported primarily by District government funds and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

*Vision*
As the Nation’s Capital, the District of Columbia is a world-class cultural destination. CAH will be the leading voice for arts and culture in the city, thereby elevating the impact of the arts and humanities locally, nationally and internationally. Recognizing the changing dynamics within the city, CAH is poised to increase our depth and expand our breadth of creative opportunities for residents and visitors.

*Programs*
CAH is governed by a volunteer board of Commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Public Art Program is to provide high quality art installations and administrative support services to the public so they can benefit from an enhanced visual environment.

**Arts Learning and Outreach**
The purpose of the Arts Learning and Outreach Program is to provide grants, educational activities and outreach services for youth, young adults and the general public so they can gain a deeper appreciation for the arts and enhance the overall quality of their lives.

**Arts Building Communities (Grants and Programs)**
The purpose of the Arts Building Communities program is to provide grants, performances, exhibitions and other services to individual artists, arts organizations and neighborhood/community groups so they can express, experience and have access to the rich cultural diversity of the District. Grants are based on funding availability and advisory panel recommendations. The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) page intends to:

*Provide information and updates regarding activities and opportunities at the CAH and beyond;
*Invite discussion and participation in the arts and arts-related activities; and to
*Encourage partnership and collaboration. In order to ensure that all discussions on the CAH page are productive, respectful, energized and consistent with our mission and goals, we ask you to follow these guidelines:

*Be considerate and respectful of others. Vulgarity, threats or abuse of language will not be tolerated.
*Differing opinions and discussion of diverse ideas are encouraged, but personal attacks on anyone, including CAH staff, will not be permitted.
*Share freely and be generous, but be aware of copyright laws; be accurate and give credit where credit is due.
*Stay on topic.
*Refrain from using the page for solicitation, for commercial purposes or to market products. We reserve the right to make editorial decisions regarding submitted comments, including but not limited to removal of comments that violate these guidelines. CAH is an agency of the District of Columbia. It is not legal or permissible for state agencies to engage in or take official positions related to state or federal laws, political issues/actions or elections. Posts that relate to legal or political issues/actions may be removed. Opinions expressed by other Facebook users do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. In addition to our own policy, we expect those who engage with us and each other through our page to also abide by the site’s Community Standards: https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards

28/10/2026

Yesterday, Director Myers and the CAH team joined Mayor Muriel Bowser and community partners to unveil CURVE by DC artist Rania Hassan at Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Plaza.

Made possible through a Public Art Building Communities grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to the NoMa BID, the sculpture honors Johnson’s extraordinary legacy as a trailblazing Negro Leagues pitcher and dedicated nurse. Its sweeping, intertwined form draws inspiration from her signature curveball, baseball stitching, and the symbol of medicine.

We’re proud to support local artists and partnerships that transform public spaces, celebrate our history, and connect communities through art.

BACKYARD IS BACK. 🔥This Thursday, Backyard Band returns to Live at SOAK for another night of that real DC sound.If you k...
26/10/2026

BACKYARD IS BACK. 🔥

This Thursday, Backyard Band returns to Live at SOAK for another night of that real DC sound.

If you know, you know. If you don’t, this is your chance.

🎟️ Grab your tickets now - LINK IN BIO.

📍 Sycamore & Oak
📅 Thursday, October 29
🎶 Backyard Band LIVE

23/10/2026

Last night, CAH celebrated the Art Bank’s 40th anniversary with a special alumni reception at the offices of NOBODY Creative, a social-first agency and strategic consultancy based in DC. We thank all the artists and community members, including several friends from our DC government sister agencies, for joining us for this special event honoring this milestone! We look forward to seeing what we can do together in the next 40 years. Congrats again to all our CAH Art Bank alumni!

Congratulations to Director Aaron Myers for being selected for Washington Blade 25th Annual Best of LGBTQ DC Awards as B...
23/10/2026

Congratulations to Director Aaron Myers for being selected for Washington Blade 25th Annual Best of LGBTQ DC Awards as Best Local Artist for 2026!!!

Art takes many forms…and sometimes it’s stilettos! 👠We are a proud partner for the 39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Rac...
21/10/2026

Art takes many forms…and sometimes it’s stilettos! 👠

We are a proud partner for the 39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race, celebrating the intersection of art and LGBTQIA+ history in the District.

We are honored to support the creators, performers, and community members who turn 17th Street into an open-air gallery of joy and pride every year. 🎨🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

🔗 Learn more and RSVP at s.dc.gov/2026HHR



Now Accepting Applications: Juried Exhibition Grant (JEG).JEG provides support for District-based artists to exhibit the...
19/10/2026

Now Accepting Applications: 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 Eye Street Gallery exhibition space located in the lobby of 200 I Street, SE.

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.

Submission Deadline:
Monday, November 30, 2026 at 4:59 PM ET

For complete details, please visit:
tinyurl.com/fy27jeg

Address

200 I Street SE

20003

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:30
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30
Thursday 09:00 - 17:30
Friday 09:00 - 17:30

Telephone

+12027245613

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