The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), an independent agency within the District of Columbia government, invites applications for the FY 2026 Art Exhibition (Curatorial) Grant Program. This program is designed to support the creation and public presentation of visual art exhibitions curated by District resident curators or nonprofit organizations. Exhibitions will be presented either at the 200 I (Eye) Street Galleries or through CAH’s virtual gallery platform. If the physical gallery becomes unavailable, exhibitions will proceed online.
The grant aims to foster innovative, educational, and community-centered exhibitions. Two types of exhibitions will be funded in FY 2026: a Social Justice Themed Exhibition, aligning with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and focusing on pressing social issues; and an Open Theme Exhibition showcasing cultural vibrancy and contemporary art practices. Each grant recipient will receive between $30,000 and $35,000 depending on whether a co-curator or mentee is involved.
Eligible applicants must be over the age of 18 and maintain residency or nonprofit operations in the District of Columbia. Individuals must have prior curatorial experience. Organizations must be incorporated as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and be in good standing with CAH. Applicants can only submit one application per fiscal year and must be compliant with local tax and Clean Hands requirements.
Applications must include an exhibition proposal, optional layout rendering, artist statements, timelines, marketing plans, consent letters from participating artists, and a comprehensive budget. Final selections will be evaluated on artistic merit, exhibition design, inclusion and accessibility, and the feasibility of execution. Required documents must be submitted through the CAH grants portal by June 30, 2025, at 9 PM EST.
Workshops and technical assistance are available to assist applicants. Applicants are encouraged to attend one of the scheduled virtual workshops and contact the CAH curator for individual consultations. Notification of awards will occur after October 1, 2025, with exhibitions scheduled to begin in January and April of 2026.
For questions and assistance, contact Michelle May-Curry at michelle.may-curry@dc.gov or call 202-215-9486. More information and application resources can be found at dcarts.dc.gov.
Attend workshops, prepare full draft early, ensure all required PDFs are uploaded, and label artworks properly.
