District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanitiesgrant
FY27 Color the Curb: School Safety Program Grant
artgoat.comGrant
- Who Can Apply: DC residents aged 18 or older who are practicing professional artists with large-scale exterior mural, youth engagement, and community-based project experience; Lead Artists must not have received this grant in FY26, and artist team members other than the Lead Artist may live outside DC.
- The Focus: Designing and installing ground murals at intersections near four DCPS schools to improve pedestrian safety and engage students in the design.
- The Funding: $30,000 grant per selected artist or team (four awards) covering design, materials, fabrication, installation, personnel, and project management; the artist fee may not exceed 20% of the grant budget.
DeadlineMonday, November 16, 2026
Award$30,000 grant per selected artist or artist team (four awards), all-inclusive of design, materials, fabrication, installation, personnel, insurance, and project management; the artist fee may not exceed 20% of the grant budget. No separate finalist or proposal stipend.
Program datesOctober 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
LocationWashington, DC
ParticipationOn-site
DisciplinesPublic art, Large-scale exterior murals, Youth engagement, Community-based projects, Graphic design
Age range18–
Application notesAll applications must be submitted online through CAH's grant portal (Submittable); mailed, emailed, or hand-delivered applications are not accepted. Required application materials: CV/résumé (2 pages max), artist statement (500 words max), community statement (500 words max), returning grantee statement if applicable (500 words max), 5–10 JPG work sample images, work sample statement (300 words max), image identification list, and seven compliance documents (written security statement, Certificate of Clean Hands dated within 30 days of application, statement of certification, IRS W-9, proof of past or current insurance, artist copyright warranty form, and proof of DC residency). Applicants may submit one application to this program per fiscal year. Reasonable accommodation requests must be made no later than seven calendar days before the deadline (CAHaccessibility@dc.gov). Technical assistance sessions: Oct 5, 2026 (10–11 AM), Oct 21, 2026 (4–5 PM at MILKCRATE DC), and Nov 13, 2026 (2–3 PM); one-on-one application reviews are available by appointment up to one week before the deadline.
Post-selection obligations: selected artists must pass a DC government criminal background check, a DCPS child protective and sex offender registry review, and a tuberculosis screening before youth engagement activities, and must carry commercial general liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence plus property insurance equal to the completed value of the work.
Post-selection obligations: Apply through CAH's online grant portal with a CV/résumé (two pages maximum), artist statement (500 words max), community statement (500 words max), returning grantee statement if applicable (500 words max), five to ten JPG work sample images, a work sample statement (300 words max), an image identification list, and seven compliance documents including a Certificate of Clean Hands, IRS W-9, proof of insurance, and proof of DC residency.
Contactdeirdre.darden@dc.gov
District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Organization based in Washington