Washington’s creative community will come together this September as the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities opens DC Art Now 2026, its annual exhibition showcasing finalists selected through the District’s Art Bank Program.
The DC Art Now 2026 Opening Reception and Art All Night Kickoff will take place on Thursday, September 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Commission’s Eye Street Gallery, located at 200 I Street SE in Washington, D.C.
This year’s exhibition carries additional significance as the District celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Art Bank Program, a longstanding initiative that supports local visual artists while building a permanent collection of artwork reflecting the people, culture, history, and creativity of the Washington metropolitan area.
Established in 1986, the Art Bank Collection has grown to include nearly 3,000 works of art. Each year, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities acquires original artwork from metropolitan-area artists through a competitive process. Selected works become part of the District’s permanent collection and are displayed in public spaces and offices throughout DC government buildings.
For its 40th anniversary year, the program introduced a special Historical Acquisition category alongside its regular submissions. The initiative sought works depicting people, places, events, and historical moments significant to DC’s culture and heritage, as well as works created before 2016 by established metropolitan artists that represent meaningful cultural assets for the District.
The finalists selected through the FY27 Art Bank Program will be featured in DC Art Now 2026, offering audiences an opportunity to experience the breadth of the region’s contemporary visual arts community. The exhibition will include photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking, textiles, and other artistic mediums.
Beyond displaying artwork, the program represents a direct investment in artists. Through the FY27 Art Bank grant cycle, eligible individual artists could receive awards of up to $15,000, while eligible nonprofit galleries and arts organizations could receive up to $25,000 for artwork permanently acquired by the District.
The September 10 opening will also serve as a kickoff to Art All Night weekend, connecting the exhibition to one of Washington’s largest annual celebrations of arts, culture, businesses, and neighborhoods.
For visitors, the reception offers an opportunity to meet participating artists, explore the new exhibition, and see how artists across the region are interpreting Washington through a variety of creative forms.
The anniversary also highlights the Art Bank Program’s broader role in making locally created artwork visible beyond traditional galleries and museums. By placing works throughout District government spaces, the collection brings art into everyday civic environments while preserving a growing visual record of the region’s creative community.
Event Details
DC Art Now 2026 Opening Reception and Art All Night Kickoff
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Location: Eye Street Gallery, 200 I Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
The reception will celebrate the FY27 Art Bank Program finalists and officially kick off Art All Night weekend.