DC Arts Commission approves $30,450 for FY2026 juried exhibition grants

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities on Feb. 23 adopted the public arts committee’s funding recommendations for the fiscal‑year 2026 juried exhibition grant program, allocating $30,450 to support 23 artists and 36 works.

The public arts manager presented the panel’s process, saying eligible applications were reviewed and scored on a 1–10 scale with a standard cutoff of 7. Staff recommended awards based on aesthetic and conceptual strength, theme alignment, and district impact; the cycle drew 95 eligible submissions, an increase from 49 in FY2024. Staff said accepted works will be funded in full according to the number and scale of works selected for installation.

Commissioners moved to adopt the public arts committee’s resolution formally authorizing the allocation. The presiding officer conducted a roll‑call voice vote; multiple commissioners responded in the affirmative and the chair announced the motion passed. No opposing votes or abstentions were recorded in the meeting excerpt.

Corinne Miller, public arts manager, told commissioners the program will support an exhibition titled 'Collage’s Critique,' and outlined outreach results: 26 percent of applicants were first‑time applicants and Ward 1 produced the highest number of applicants. Staff also noted award tiers for individual works and site‑specific commissions.

The resolution implements the committee recommendation, and staff will proceed with notifying awardees and arranging exhibition logistics at the commission’s gallery at 200 I Street SE. The vote concludes the committee’s request to the full commission; staff did not announce any amendments on the floor.

Next procedural steps include notifying successful applicants and coordinating installation and payments consistent with agency disbursement procedures.