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A friendly reminder for those who applied to any number of our FY26 Requests for Applications, that we will notify applicants as to the results of your applications on or around October 1, 2025 via (1) letter of intention to award, (2) letter of ineligibility, or (3) letter of denial. 

This, and further information about notifications and award disbursements, can be found on page 18 of our FY26 Guide to Grants.

The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities presents Creative Chill, a summer networking social for artists. Join fellow creatives for a casual evening of networking and connecting! Food and beverages available for purchase, courtesy of our friends at Eaton House.

5:30 to 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 7.

Join us for an afternoon of creativity and collaboration as we explore the art of poetry.

The workshops are geared towards 8th to 12th graders from the District of Columbia.

Saturday, August 9th | 11 am to 4 pm.

If you have any questions please contact Andrea Brown at andrea.brown3@dc.gov.

Our next Full Commission regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 ET on Monday, August 18. Members of the public are invited to observe the meeting live online on CAH’s YouTube channel.

Members of the public may request three minutes to speak during the public comment period held at this meeting. Requests must be submitted by no later than Noon ET on Thursday, August 14. Written comments may also be submitted by no later than Noon ET on Thursday, August 14, as an alternative or in addition to spoken comments. Public comments, both spoken and written, will be included in the public record of the meeting.

This meeting is governed by the Open Meetings Act. Please address any questions or complaints arising under this meeting to the Office of Open Government at opengovoffice@dc.gov.

Beirut Blues

Hannah Atallah, 2024

23-088

Jeremy Flick, 2023

South Bogota

Federico Frum, 2022

Requiem

Hillary Steel, 2020

Leigh Davis's new project brings karaoke to cemeteries across the country, creating a platform for participants to express and share in grief responses through singing together. It offers a way to release the grief, to let it spill out if you need to, or to honor or sing to someone you know (or don’t know), dead and alive. There is someone somewhere who needs to hear it.

August 1st, tonight, premieres the first installment of this ongoing series at Historic Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Join in for a night of Grief Karaoke from 7:00 - 10:00pm.

Please join DC Jazz Jam Sunday 8/3/25 as they continue their summer Roy Haynes Centenary tribute series—this time featuring drummer Chris Barrick, along with an all-star house band of Aleks Izotov (keys) and Eric Harper (bass).

[Don’t worry guitar players — they always have a guitar amp, and a to plug into.]

So come sit in with the band and throw your support to a great local joint! 6:30-9:00pm @ Haydee’s (3102 Mount Pleasant Street NW). No cover!

The Inner Loop is back from their summer hiatus!

Join them at Shaw's Tavern on August 19th at 7:00 pm for an incredible reading featuring Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson reading alongside nine local writers in fiction, nonficiton, and poetry, including their Summer Residents!

Whether you're a bookworm, an inspiring writer, or just enjoy listening to stories, The Inner Loop readings have something for everyone. Their mission is to create an inclusive writing community in DC, so grab some food, a drink, and meet other literature lovers.

Khadijah Wilson's Beyond the Case Files is a growing oral history project that centers people with lived experiences of DC’s foster care system. These stories go beyond case files and statistics — they reveal legacy, love, identity, and the many ways people with lived experience in DC Child and Family Services Agency have shaped the city they call home.

"As someone who navigated DC’s foster care system, this project is deeply personal. Beyond the Case Files is rooted in my commitment to preserving untold histories through lived experience — not just as data, but as full, human stories.

"As a multimedia storyteller and emerging filmmaker, I use oral history, documentary, and visual media to explore the complexities of care, identity, and belonging. This project is both an act of preservation and a call to witness." - Khadijah Wilson

Cleveland Park Main Street is currently recruiting artists and entertainers for their Art All Night on Friday September 12th, between 5-10pm. (CPMS AAN)

Please reach out to Cassandra Hetherington if you have any questions.

Bethesda Dance Center is seeking an engaging, reliable, and talented Ballet Teacher to join their team for the 2025-2026 Dance Season (September to May).

The ideal candidate will have experience in teaching ballet to young dancers and enjoy working with young dancers (2nd-7th graders). The teacher will help to coordinate and choreograph the Spring Recital's Big Ballet and be part of a team who focuses on supporting and caring for its faculty.

They hope to find a candidate who wants to be a part of their team for many years to come.

Job Type: Part-time

Days/Times: Mondays (4:15-8:30), Wednesdays (4:15-7:15), Fridays (4:15-6:15)

Compensation: $40 to $65 per hour depending on experience, qualifications

Duties:

• Develop and implement engaging ballet lesson plans for students of various ages and skill levels.
• Foster a positive learning environment through effective classroom management and encouragement.
• Assess student progress and adjust curriculum as needed to meet educational goals.
• Work with the Bethesda Dance Center team to maintain a positive educational environment for all of its students and families.
• Participate in 4 out-of-the-classroom studio events during the year in an effort to be a part of the greater studio community.
• Choreograph and coordinate the Spring Recital's Big Ballet

If interested, email them.

IN SERIES, one of the nation’s leading companies for innovative “small” Opera and music-theater work, invites applications and recommendations for the newly created full-time position of Executive Director.

Compensation: This is a full-time position; the successful candidate is expected to relocate to the District of Columbia area. The full-time (exempt) salary range is $90,000 to $100,000 with a benefits package. Relocation expenses negotiable.  

Desired StartDate: By the first week of October 2025.   

Washington Ballet Company Manager

The Washington Ballet is seeking a dynamic, detail-oriented professional to serve as the central point of contact for their artists. This full-time role is essential to the success of their productions—managing schedules, travel, health logistics, and supporting the Artistic Director directly.

As Company Manager, you’ll work closely with choreographers, dancers, designers, and guest artists, helping shape a culture rooted in creativity, compassion, and collaboration.

💰 Salary: $75–80K DOE

GMCW is looking for some new singers! Auditions will be held on August 10, 12 and 13. Auditions are by appointment only. Limited spaces are available.

GMCW welcomes all singers regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation who can sing in the lower vocal register (Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone, Bass) to audition.

Applications for the 2026 Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival close August 15th at 5pm EST! 

The application takes roughly 25 minutes to complete and requires important information about you and your proposed work.

Check out the FAQ tab on their website to help prep for applying.

Established in 2005, the Takoma Park Poet Laureate program honors the achievements of a local poet who serves as the city's ambassador in promoting public appreciation of poetry and supporting a creative community of local poets.

The City of Takoma Park's Arts and Humanities Division is seeking applications for the next poet laureate with a three-year term starting in September 2025. Applicants must be city residents with an established body of published poetry. More info and the poet laureate's duties are listed below. 

 Applicants should complete the online application form by the deadline on Aug. 24, 2025. 

2025-26 Pre-Season Auditions are OPEN

Now hearing ALL strings (full seats and substitutes), harp (full seat), oboe/English horn (substitute only), bassoon (substitute only), contrabassoon (full seat), horn (full seat) and trombone (full seat).

Auditions will be held Sunday, August 24 and Sunday, September 7, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm in downtown DC right nearby Metro Center.  

“Now accepting artist submissions ✨

CALLING ALL FIRST GEN. ARTISTS!

Come be a part of EXPO’s 4th annual gallery exhibit this upcoming August 🤝

A Race to the Reckoning is a 55-minute social impact documentary narrated by the symbolic voice of Lady Liberty. It explores how America’s racial myths—from slavery through mass incarceration—continue to trap returning citizens in cycles of punishment after they have been released from jail or prison.

If you're interested in being a community partner to host a screening, reach out to Producer Asia E. Marche.

WSSC Water is looking for local artists to display their work at the Brighton Dam Visitor Center (2 Brighton Dam Road, Brookeville) or WSSC Water Support Center (14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel) for approximately a one-to-two-month timeframe. 

The Bartol Foundation is currently accepting proposals for online professional development workshops for teaching artists, which they compensate at a competitive rate. Artists need not be based in Philadelphia to teach a workshop or to participate as an attendee. 

The Foundation is a Philadelphia-based organization passionate about supporting teaching artists as change makers in their communities through professional development workshops, trauma-informed teaching, and grant opportunities.  

This Open Call ends on Monday, September 1, at 11:59 pm.

42nd Annual Choreographer's Showcase Auditions

Audition Registration Now Open for the 42nd Annual Choreographer's Showcase

Registration Deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025

Be a part of one of the longest-running showcases of choreographic talent in the area. The Choreographer's Showcase highlights both emerging and established artists, presenting original works selected by a panel of adjudicators.

In-Person Auditions

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Publick Playhouse

(Video auditions will also be accepted in lieu of in-person attendance.)

Selected choreographers will receive a cash stipend and the opportunity to present their work in performance on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Publick Playhouse.

Don’t miss this opportunity to share your creative voice on a professional stage. Apply today!

The Downtown Business Improvement District Corporation is requesting proposals from District of Columbia-based non-profit community groups, cultural institutions and arts leaders for the production of community events and cultural activations in the immediate vicinity of the Gallery Place / Chinatown neighborhood during the summers of 2026 and/or 2027.

The purpose of these Summer Events, in addition to celebrating the unique history, culture and identity of the District of Columbia, is to draw foot traffic to the neighborhood in order to support local business while the Capital One Arena redevelopment project is under construction.

Submission Deadline: Friday September 5th, 2025 @ 11:59 PM

The Aspen Institute’s Leadership Seminars department is proud to announce the 2025 Cover Art Contest, “The Canvas of Leadership.” They invite individuals aged 18 and older, residing in the U.S., to creatively explore and visually represent the powerful, human-centered themes that define our seminars.

Contest is open through September 9, 2025 11:59pm, Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time.

The Jonathan Larson Grants are the Wing’s annual investment in emerging musical theatre artists, offering support through unrestricted cash grants, as well as additional support in the form of residencies, concerts, and recording grants. The Jonathan Larson Grants are given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers, and to help continue the legacy of Tony Award®-winning RENT composer Jonathan Larson.

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH

National Theatre Company Grants

Applications are now open for 2025 National Theatre Company Grants!

The requirements for the grant are that it goes to a regional theatre, and that the funds are used towards an American playwright’s work. The eligibility structure is purposefully expansive, to encourage innovation and create space for theatres to tailor the grant to their specific needs.

Through this program, ATW looks to emphasize work which supports living American playwrights, but will also consider the presentation of authors who are no longer living, whose work remains unknown or under-presented in the national theatre canon.

The deadline to submit is Friday, September 26th at 11:59PM ET.

Building on the legacy of founder Duncan Phillips and his commitment to presenting and promoting the work of artists of the greater DC region, The Phillips Collection invites artists currently residing in the DC–Baltimore metropolitan areas to submit artworks created after November 2024 for consideration in our Juried Invitational exhibition. This juried invitational furthers the museum’s mission as a welcoming home for all where the vision and spirit of artists thrive. 

Artists of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to apply and may submit up to two artworks. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. 

Deadline to apply: September 30, 2025. Apply early! If we reach 1,000 entries before that date, a notification will be posted on the website and submissions will close.

“No matter whether the approach is to go on defense or offense, shoring up the organization’s compliance is critical.” Get a free download of “Nonprofit Legal Compliance in an Unfriendly Political Environment” by nonprofit legal expert and NPQ board member Gene Takagi

A Wallace Foundation report from earlier this year identifies seven key elements of "culture-centered, community-based" youth arts programs that can provide a sense of belonging, identity affirmation, and skill development.

Many nonprofits employ advisory councils — a collection of individuals who advise and support the governance work of the board or the management tasks carried out by staff.

BoardSource has a resource outlining nine keys to making the work of advisory councils successful.

Candid Learning

Candid’s live and on-demand trainings, webinars, and other resources are designed to improve your fundraising, overall sustainability, grantmaking, and transparency.

Check out just some of these free trainings they're providing in the upcoming months which are generally from 2 to 3:30 pm ET on weekdays:

• Introduction to Corporate Giving
• Introduction to Fundraising Planning
• Introduction to Proposal Writing

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