The Art Bank Program (ABP), administered by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), supports local visual artists and nonprofit art organizations by acquiring studio artwork to be added to the District of Columbia’s permanent Art Bank Collection. This initiative enhances access to the arts and supports the creative economy by purchasing artworks from local creators and distributing them across public government buildings through the Art Bank Loan Program. The collection, which began in 1986, now contains over 3,000 pieces and serves as a living archive of DC’s vibrant visual arts scene.
The FY 2026 Art Bank Program invites submissions from qualified individual artists and nonprofit art organizations located in Washington, DC. Individual artists may be awarded up to $15,000, while nonprofit art organizations and galleries may receive up to $25,000. Award amounts will vary and are contingent upon available funding and the volume of applicants. This program is both an opportunity to financially support artists and to enrich public spaces with diverse artistic expressions.
The application window opens on Monday, April 14, 2025, and closes at 9:00 PM ET on Monday, May 19, 2025. Awards will be announced on or after October 1, 2025. Interested applicants must thoroughly review the Request for Applications (RFA) and submit all required forms and documentation through the CAH’s grant portal. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed. Applicants are also encouraged to attend workshops and live chat sessions for support throughout the process.
The Art Bank Collection includes works from artists across various stages of their careers who have lived or worked in DC or drawn inspiration from the city. One of the key public displays of the collection is the Wilson Building Art Collection at the John A. Wilson Building, showcasing over 200 works including pieces by acclaimed artists such as Gene Davis and Alma Thomas. These acquisitions not only promote the arts outside traditional museum venues but also reflect and preserve the cultural and social fabric of the District.
For questions or more information, applicants may contact Michelle May-Curry at michelle.may-curry@dc.gov or Ron Humbertson at ron.humbertson@dc.gov. Additional resources, including the RFA, certification forms, and application documents, are available on the CAH website and application portal.
