DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

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DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities dcarts.dc.gov We provide financial support and conduct programming in three primary focus areas:

**DC Creates Public Art**
The purpose of the DC Creates!
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The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) provides grants, professional opportunities, education enrichment, other programs and services to individuals and nonprofit organizations in all communities within the District of Columbia. CAH is supported primarily by District government funds and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

*Vision*
As the Nation’s Capital, the District of

Columbia is a world-class cultural destination. CAH will be the leading voice for arts and culture in the city, thereby elevating the impact of the arts and humanities locally, nationally and internationally. Recognizing the changing dynamics within the city, CAH is poised to increase our depth and expand our breadth of creative opportunities for residents and visitors.

*Programs*
CAH is governed by a volunteer board of Commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Public Art Program is to provide high quality art installations and administrative support services to the public so they can benefit from an enhanced visual environment.

**Arts Learning and Outreach**
The purpose of the Arts Learning and Outreach Program is to provide grants, educational activities and outreach services for youth, young adults and the general public so they can gain a deeper appreciation for the arts and enhance the overall quality of their lives.

**Arts Building Communities (Grants and Programs)**
The purpose of the Arts Building Communities program is to provide grants, performances, exhibitions and other services to individual artists, arts organizations and neighborhood/community groups so they can express, experience and have access to the rich cultural diversity of the District. Grants are based on funding availability and advisory panel recommendations. The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) page intends to:

*Provide information and updates regarding activities and opportunities at the CAH and beyond;
*Invite discussion and participation in the arts and arts-related activities; and to
*Encourage partnership and collaboration. In order to ensure that all discussions on the CAH page are productive, respectful, energized and consistent with our mission and goals, we ask you to follow these guidelines:

*Be considerate and respectful of others. Vulgarity, threats or abuse of language will not be tolerated.
*Differing opinions and discussion of diverse ideas are encouraged, but personal attacks on anyone, including CAH staff, will not be permitted.
*Share freely and be generous, but be aware of copyright laws; be accurate and give credit where credit is due.
*Stay on topic.
*Refrain from using the page for solicitation, for commercial purposes or to market products. We reserve the right to make editorial decisions regarding submitted comments, including but not limited to removal of comments that violate these guidelines. CAH is an agency of the District of Columbia. It is not legal or permissible for state agencies to engage in or take official positions related to state or federal laws, political issues/actions or elections. Posts that relate to legal or political issues/actions may be removed. Opinions expressed by other Facebook users do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. In addition to our own policy, we expect those who engage with us and each other through our page to also abide by the site’s Community Standards: https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards

25/08/2026

Today, we join the nation and the global arts community in mourning the profound loss of a true American icon, Dolly Parton.

While her incomparable artistry, songwriting, and glittering performances touched hearts around the world, her legacy in the District is uniquely defined by her fierce devotion to our youngest residents.

Through her Imagination Library and her transformative partnership with the DC Public Library’s “Books from Birth” program, Dolly helped mail millions of free books directly to the homes of D.C. children, instilling a lifelong love of reading and creativity across all eight wards.

Her harmonious blend of artistic brilliance and literacy advocacy will sing on for generations. Rest in peace, Dolly. You will always be our Living Legend. 🦋📚 ✨

CAH leadership wants to wish DC students an amazing start to the school year! Stay creative!     Office of the State Sup...
24/08/2026

CAH leadership wants to wish DC students an amazing start to the school year! Stay creative! Office of the State Superintendent of Education

21/08/2026

As part of CAH's continued support of the Live at SOAK summer series, Director Myers and several CAH staff members and commissioners were proud to attend last night's event, which featured Scooby Dagodson + Sirius Company, with Shorty Corleone & The Creatives.

17/08/2026

DC has lost a true cultural icon. The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities honors the life and legacy of Hand Dance legend Gene Ray Artis, affectionately known as “Dancin’ Tony,” who passed away on August 14 at the age of 90. 🕊️

Earlier this month, the community gathered at the MLK Jr. Memorial Library to celebrate him and present a Letter of Appreciation from Mayor Muriel Bowser.

We are honored to have supported the National Hand Dance Association’s PEF FY26 grant to build the Dancin’ Tony Archive Collection. This Collection of videos, photographs, newspaper articles, clothing and other materials will be preserved at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library People’s Archive repository as part of DC and Hand Dance history.

His rhythm, joy, and history are now forever woven into the fabric of DC history. We will miss you Dancin’ Tony!

You don’t want to miss this! The Culture Quest Kids Fest is a free festival celebrating learning, creativity, and commun...
14/08/2026

You don’t want to miss this! The Culture Quest Kids Fest is a free festival celebrating learning, creativity, and community.

Bring the whole family for hands on STEAM activities, literacy experiences, youth activities, live entertainment, and more.

RSVP at http://s.dc.gov/
KidsFest2026

August 29, 2026
3:00 PM-7:00 PM
Deanwood Recreation Center

Yesterday afternoon, Director Myers was pleased to meet with Mr. Evangelos Kosmidis, who serves as the CEO and Artistic ...
13/08/2026

Yesterday afternoon, Director Myers was pleased to meet with Mr. Evangelos Kosmidis, who serves as the CEO and Artistic Director of the Mariupol Theatre of Ukraine in Exile, an independent creative company formed by displaced artists from the Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol. They engaged in a thorough dialogue on building connections and community in the Washington, DC area. We look forward to continuing this conversation with Mr. Kosmidis in the near future.

13/08/2026

Our Executive Director, Aaron Myers, was thrilled to deliver the welcoming remarks at the 2026 Grants Conference today. Hosted by the Office of the City Administrator and the Grants Management Advisory Council (GMAC), this vital internal forum brings together grants specialists from across the District to elevate how we serve our community.

Director Myers highlighted the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ essential role in making the District a culturally rich home for all.

Together with our fellow District agencies, we are working to make grant management more efficient, transparent, and impactful!

Address

200 I Street SE

20003

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:30
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30
Thursday 09:00 - 17:30
Friday 09:00 - 17:30

Telephone

+12027245613

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