The Public Art Building Communities (PABC) grant program is administered by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) to support individual artists and organizations in designing, fabricating, and installing public artworks that engage communities across Washington, D.C. The grant aims to promote public access to visual art by funding new permanent or temporary public art installations in outdoor spaces that are free and open to the public.

Public art, for the purposes of this grant, encompasses a wide variety of media and formats including, but not limited to, sculptures, mosaics, murals, artistic streetscapes, media/digital installations, landscape-designed works, artistic benches, stained glass, and artistic infrastructure such as arches and gates. Projects must be sited in locations that are accessible to and viewable from public space, and materials must be sustainable, low-maintenance, and protected by graffiti-resistant coatings. Permanent installations are defined as those lasting more than two years without a removal plan, while temporary installations last less than two years and must include a deinstallation plan.

The program is open to both individual artists and organizations, including Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and multiple awards will be made. Individuals may apply for grants of up to $75,000, organizations for up to $125,000, and BIDs for up to $150,000. Applicants must adhere to the application requirements and deadlines in order to be considered. Incomplete, late, or non-compliant applications will not be reviewed or funded.

The grant is funded through CAH’s annual grants budget, as authorized by D.C. law. The application process officially begins with the release of the Request for Applications (RFA) on March 17, 2025, at 5 PM Eastern Time. The deadline to submit applications is July 21, 2025, at 9 PM Eastern Time. All applicants are strongly encouraged to read the full RFA document before submitting their application to ensure compliance with all criteria.

Applications will be reviewed based on alignment with CAH’s objectives to foster community engagement through public art, technical and artistic merit, feasibility, and impact. Support materials, including the full RFA and a Q&A document, are available for download through CAH’s website. For questions or further assistance, applicants may contact Kerry Kennedy, Public Art Program Coordinator, at kerry.kennedy@dc.gov.