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DC Arts Commission flags budget cuts as it rushes FY26 grants and deadlines
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Summary
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities told commissioners on Oct. 20 that FY26 grant awards went out after a short waiver-related delay, but the agency faces a multi-year decline in funding that will shrink award sizes and strain programming.
The District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities on Oct. 20 said FY26 grant awards have been issued after a brief delay, but commissioners were warned that recent budget cuts will limit the agency’s ability to fund programs.
Executive Director Aaron Myers and Senior Grants Officer Terrell Johnson told the commission that award notifications went out on Oct. 17 following guidance that lifted a city waiver. Terrell Johnson said grant managers are processing roughly 1,014 awards excluding capital-project grants and set a deadline of Oct. 31 for signed grant agreements and supporting documents.
The report framed the grants update inside a broader budget squeeze. Johnson said the agency has seen a roughly $5,000,000 decrease over the last two years and a $1,300,000 decrease in government-operating-support (GOS) this fiscal year, which he said has “a substantial impact on the number of grantees that we are able to fund and the funding rates.” The commission’s staff encouraged grantees to use upcoming workshops and weekly DIFS office hours for help completing paperwork.
Commissioners and staff discussed capital-projects timing and competition: the FY26 capital projects program received 87 applications (compared with 94 the prior year) and will return funding recommendations to the commission in November for a vote. Staff said project codes and OCFO submission work will follow now that waiver restrictions have been lifted.
Budget officers also described local planning steps to preserve some program lines. Myers said he identified $25,000 in the director’s office to support Go-Go programming in FY26 and proposed coordinating with DC Public Library, the Office of Cable Television, and EventsDC to maximize impact. Commissioners emphasized the need to make the case to the D.C. Council that arts funding supports the local economy and broader civic priorities.
The commission urged applicants to meet the Oct. 31 agreement deadline and said staff will follow up individually through grant managers. The commission plans to vote on capital-project grant recommendations at its November meeting.
The commission adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
