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DC arts commission warns of FY26 budget cuts, sets July 1 paperwork deadline for grantees
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Summary
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities told commissioners and the public that the mayor’s proposed FY26 budget would shrink agency funding, could eliminate the fund balance used to cover grant obligations, and that grantees must submit outstanding paperwork by July 1 to receive awards.
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities told commissioners at its June 16 meeting that the mayor’s proposed FY26 budget would reduce the agency’s overall funding and could eliminate the commission’s reserve fund, a cushion officials said has helped the agency meet grant obligations in downturns.
Aaron Myers, executive director for the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, said, “The proposed f y 26 budget of $45,731,408 marks a 10.2 decrease in the agency's overall budget from f y 24, which is inclusive of the fund balance appropriation to f y 26.” He added that if a $977,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts were rescinded, “the overall decrease would rise to 12.1%.”
The fund balance, Myers said, “helps ensure the agency can financially fulfill all the grants awarded by the agency in case economic projections decline,” and staff noted the reserve had been used during the pandemic to maintain payments and enhance grants. Resource Allocation Officer Brandon Saunders told commissioners the agency had managed obligations tightly this year and described a line item of about $881,000 as budget reservations required by broader city reductions.
Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the fund balance supports continuity of grant awards and one-time capacity-building requests; losing it would affect the commission’s ability to guarantee awards when revenue projections fall. The agency also said the proposed FY26 budget includes an amendment to reallocate CAH grant dollars to District theaters that was not coordinated with CAH and would require Council action.
Practical next steps and deadlines: Myers and staff emphasized a firm administrative deadline for grantees: “July 1 will be the cutoff for those who have not submitted all necessary paperwork to receive their award,” Myers said. Staff and commissioners asked grantees who have incomplete files to contact their grant manager immediately so payments can be disbursed on schedule.
Additional details: The proposed FY26 plan does not add new full‑time positions to the agency. Staff said they have requested use of FY25 fund balance for a capacity-building program for mid- to large-size organizations but had not received confirmation of access at the time of the meeting. The commission also noted it will post supplemental FY26 budget hearing materials on its website for public review.
Ending: Commissioners expressed appreciation for staff work under constrained citywide budgets and reiterated that CAH will continue paneling and grant processes while monitoring Council action and funding confirmations.
