2025 Public Art Building Communities Grant

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is offering the Fiscal Year 2025 Public Art Building Communities (PABC) Grant Program. This program aims to support individual artists and organizations in the creation and installation of new permanent or temporary public art works. The core mission of the PABC grant is to connect artists and their artwork with communities, fostering cultural enrichment and engagement within the District of Columbia. CAH's strategic priorities for this grant align with encouraging high-quality public art, developing meaningful artist-community connections, and promoting diverse artistic expressions that resonate with DC residents. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are experienced individual artists, arts-related professionals (such as presenters, producers, and educators) residing in the District of Columbia, and eligible nonprofit organizations or Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) operating within DC. The impact goals are multifaceted, seeking to provide exposure and participation to the community in the public art-making process, further learning or discovery opportunities through public art installations, and ultimately contribute to the District of Columbia’s public art collection. The PABC grant program prioritizes the creation of original, high-quality public art works within the District of Columbia. A key focus is on supporting the creation of public art by DC resident artists, ensuring that local talent is nurtured and showcased. The program also emphasizes the promotion of robust and diverse artistic expressions that genuinely connect with and reflect the experiences of DC residents. For organizations, demonstrating a partnership with a visual artist to design, fabricate, and install the proposed artwork in a public space is a crucial requirement. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of high-quality public art installations throughout the District of Columbia, stronger connections between artists and the communities they serve, and enhanced community participation in and appreciation for public art. Measurable results could involve tracking the number of grants awarded, the types and locations of art installations, the number of community members engaged, and the overall contribution to DC's public art collection. CAH's theory of change is that by investing in public art, they can enrich the cultural landscape, foster community engagement, and provide platforms for artistic expression and learning within the District.