The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is soliciting applications from qualified individual artists or organizations for its 2027 Public Art Building Communities Grant Program (PABC).
Donor Name: DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH)
State: District of Columbia
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/27/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Public Art Building Communities (PABC) grant program supports individual artists and organizations in their effort to design, fabricate, and install new permanent or temporary works of public art that connect artists and their artwork with communities.
For the purposes of this grant, public art is artwork in a variety of media sited and installed onto locations accessible to the public (without cost) and in exterior (outdoor) locations free of encumbrances. Artwork must be sited and installed at locations that are accessible and viewable from public space. Materials should be sustainable, low maintenance, and protected by graffiti resistant coatings. Permanent public art projects are defined as existing for a duration of more than two (2) years without a deinstallation plan. Temporary public art projects are defined as existing for less than two (2) years with a deinstallation plan. Works must require minimal routine maintenance.
Examples of public art include, but are not limited to sculptures, mosaics, artistic streetscapes, murals, painting in outdoor plazas, mixed media, paving patterns, media/digital installations, landscape designed projects, custom benches, stained glass installations, and artistic arches, gates, or railings.
Goals
By making its PABC grant awards, CAH endeavors to:
- Encourage the creation and installation of original high-quality public artworks in DC.
- Develop meaningful opportunities to connect artists to communities.
- Provide exposure to and participation in the public art making process with communities.
- Further learning or discovery opportunities through public art installations.
- Support the creation of public art by DC resident artists.
- Promote robust and diverse artistic expressions that resonate with DC residents.
- Contribute to DC’s public art collection in the built environment.
- Note: Permanent works are added to DC’s public art collection through a transfer of ownership. Temporary works become part of CAH’s e-museum.
Funding Information
- Individuals up to $75,000
- Organizations up to $125,000
- Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) up to $150,000
Project Period
October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals must (at the time of application):
- Be experienced artists or arts-related professionals (e.g., presenters, producers, educators) over the age of 18.
- Applicant must be a resident of DC for a minimum of one-year prior to the date of submission of the application and maintain residency in DC throughout the grant period.
- Obtain certification of “Citywide Clean Hands” (CCH) from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue.
- Be in good standing with CAH by complying with all CAH-related mandate
Organizations and BIDs must (at the time of application):
- Be incorporated as a nonprofit with a federally designated tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code, as evidenced by an IRS determination letter that is dated at least one year prior to the application deadline date; or be a recognized District of Columbia Business Improvement District (BID) 501(c) 6.
Be registered with, and authorized to do business in the District.
- Ensure that at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the organization’s activities occur within DC.
- Have an active Board of Directors.
- Demonstrate a partnership with a visual artist to design, fabricate and install (and if temporary, de-install) the proposed artwork in a public space.
- Obtain certification of “Citywide Clean Hands” (CCH) from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue.
- Be in good standing with CAH by complying with all applicable CAH-related mandates.
- Have a principal business office address in DC, subject to site visit.
For more information, visit CAH.
