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DC arts commission spotlights grantees and previews Lincoln Theater production
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Summary
At its Jan. 26 meeting the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities heard three grantee presentations: Multimedia Training Institute previewed a Lincoln Theater production and a long-term media center vision; the National Theatre Foundation announced the nonprofit purchase of the National Theatre; and DC's Different Drummers described 2025 program growth.
The District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities on Monday heard presentations from three grantees and trustees who described recent milestones and upcoming public programs.
Lynn Dyson of the Multimedia Training Institute detailed student training in theater, video production and technical theater, previewed short videos of student work and said the group will stage a multimedia production at the Lincoln Theater in late February. "Sometimes, a picture is worth 1000 words," Dyson said as she narrated footage of students operating cameras and staging panel discussions. She described a final student project focused on justice issues in the District and said the Institute's workshops—covering arts administration, digital graphics, financial literacy and technical theater—will resume in February.
Beryl Jolley, CEO of the National Theatre Foundation, told commissioners that on Dec. 19, 2025 the foundation closed on the purchase of the National Theatre. "Ownership gives us complete oversight to meet our mission and ensure that future investments and capital improvements will be directed towards an asset we own rather than rent," Jolley said, adding that the foundation's community programs reach residents across all eight wards and include free educational performances, library partnerships and hospital programs.
Kyle Rumpler, speaking for DC's Different Drummers, thanked the commission for a general operating support grant and summarized the group's growth in 2025, including free performances across DC, a symphonic band of about 150 members and large concert attendances. "We are a performing arts group first and foremost, but we've really become a mainstay of both arts and LGBTQ+ culture here in the city," Rumpler said.
Chair Reggie Van Lee asked grantees to share their presentation media so commissioners could review audio and details offline. Commissioners and staff framed the remarks as examples of the commission's investments in workforce development, community access and local programming. The meeting moved next to public comment and agency business.
The commission did not take votes on new grants or budget items at the meeting; grantees were presenting and thanking the commission for existing awards.
