Welcome to
The only institution in the greater Washington, D.C. area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline.
PERFORM
ON OUR STAGE!
The DC Arts Center is the only institution in the greater Washington, D.C., area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline, and since its founding, offers artists one of the only coveted accessible opportunities to perform in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Following historic renovations, The DC Arts Center is currently seeking artists and performing groups/organizations who would like to utilize the black box theater for performances throughout 2024.
Become an Artist Member
A new membership to support your visual and performing arts practice like none other. Designed by and for DC artists.
Become a Partner
Join a community of supporters in donating to The DC Arts Center. Our programming is made possible by your generosity.
The DC Arts Center
WALLMOUNTABLES 2024 REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE!
Wallmountables is one of DC’s largest community art exhibitions and The DC Arts Center’s annual fundraiser! One great way to participate and support the arts center is by becoming an Artist Member.
During WallMountables, anyone can purchase as many 2’ x 2’ squares on our gallery wall as they’d like and display whatever artwork they want! While simply showing your work is exciting enough, there's always the chance that your work sells, too! Artists keep 100% of all proceeds when their work sells.
SUBMIT AN EXHIBITION FOR OUR NEWLY RENOVATED GALLERIES!
The DC Arts Center is the only institution in the greater Washington, D.C., area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline, and since its founding, offers artists one of the only coveted accessible opportunities to exhibit in the heart of the nation’s capital. Following historic renovations, The DC Arts Center is currently seeking applications for solo and group exhibitions.
Welcome to
The only institution in the greater Washington, D.C. area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline.
Become an Artist Member
A new membership to support your visual and performing arts practice like none other. Designed by and for DC artists.
Become a Partner
Join a community of supporters in donating to the DC Arts Center. Our programming is made possible by your generosity.
The DC Arts Center
SUBMIT AN EXHIBITION FOR OUR NEWLY RENOVATED GALLERIES!
The DC Arts Center is the only institution in the greater Washington, D.C., area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline, and since its founding, offers artists one of the only coveted accessible opportunities to exhibit in the heart of the nation’s capital. Following historic renovations, The DC Arts Center is currently seeking applications for solo and group exhibitions.
PERFORM
ON OUR STAGE!
The DC Arts Center is the only institution in the greater Washington, D.C., area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline, and since its founding, offers artists one of the only coveted accessible opportunities to perform in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Following historic renovations, The DC Arts Center is currently seeking artists and performing groups/organizations who would like to utilize the black box theater for performances throughout 2024.
WALLMOUNTABLES 2024 REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE!
Wallmountables is one of DC’s largest community art exhibitions and The DC Arts Center’s annual fundraiser! One great way to participate and support the arts center is by becoming an Artist Member.
During WallMountables, anyone can purchase as many 2’ x 2’ squares on our gallery wall as they’d like and display whatever artwork they want! While simply showing your work is exciting enough, there's always the chance that your work sells, too! Artists keep 100% of all proceeds when their work sells.
Welcome to
The only institution in the greater Washington, D.C. area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline.
Become an Artist Member
A new membership to support your visual and performing arts practice like none other. Designed by and for DC artists.
Become a Partner
Join a community of supporters in donating to the DC Arts Center. Our programming is made possible by your generosity.
The DC Arts Center
WALLMOUNTABLES 2024 REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE!
Wallmountables is one of DC’s largest community art exhibitions and The DC Arts Center’s annual fundraiser! One great way to participate and support the arts center is by becoming an Artist Member.
During WallMountables, anyone can purchase as many 2’ x 2’ squares on our gallery wall as they’d like and display whatever artwork they want! While simply showing your work is exciting enough, there's always the chance that your work sells, too! Artists keep 100% of all proceeds when their work sells.
PERFORM
ON OUR STAGE!
The DC Arts Center is the only institution in the greater Washington, D.C., area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline, and since its founding, offers artists one of the only coveted accessible opportunities to perform in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Following historic renovations, The DC Arts Center is currently seeking artists and performing groups/organizations who would like to utilize the black box theater for performances throughout 2024.
SUBMIT AN EXHIBITION FOR OUR NEWLY RENOVATED GALLERIES!
The DC Arts Center is the only institution in the greater Washington, D.C., area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline, and since its founding, offers artists one of the only coveted accessible opportunities to exhibit in the heart of the nation’s capital. Following historic renovations, The DC Arts Center is currently seeking applications for solo and group exhibitions.
Welcome to
The DC
Arts Center
The only institution in the greater Washington, D.C. area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline.
Become an Artist Member
A new membership to support your visual and performing arts practice like none other. Designed by and for DC artists.
Become a Partner
Join a community of supporters in donating to the DC Arts Center. Our programing is made possible by your generosity.
Events
Latest News
& Opportunities
WALLMOUNTABLES 2024 REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE!
Wallmountables is one of DC’s largest community art exhibitions and The DC Arts Center’s annual fundraiser! One great way to participate and support the arts center is by becoming an Artist Member.
During WallMountables, anyone can purchase as many 2’ x 2’ squares on our gallery wall as they’d like and display whatever artwork they want! While simply showing your work is exciting enough, there's always the chance that your work sells, too! Artists keep 100% of all proceeds when their work sells.
SUBMIT AN EXHIBITION FOR OUR NEWLY RENOVATED GALLERIES!
The DC Arts Center is the only institution in the greater Washington, D.C., area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline, and since its founding, offers artists one of the only coveted accessible opportunities to exhibit in the heart of the nation’s capital. Following historic renovations, The DC Arts Center is currently seeking applications for solo and group exhibitions.
PERFORM
ON OUR STAGE!
The DC Arts Center is the only institution in the greater Washington, D.C., area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline, and since its founding, offers artists one of the only coveted accessible opportunities to perform in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Following historic renovations, The DC Arts Center is currently seeking artists and performing groups/organizations who would like to utilize the black box theater for performances throughout 2024.
Roots & Routes is the culminating exhibition for the 2021 - 2023 cohort of The DC Art Center’s Sparkplug Artists’ Collective. These ten artists riff on the various meanings of roots as family, identity, and groundedness, along with routes as paths and journeys to raise the critical questions that invite introspection and even advocacy. In a sociopolitical climate that feels like it is stifling connection, collaboration, and calm, it is easy to lose hope.
MAIN GALLERY
The DC Arts Center’s Sparkplug Artists’ Collective Presents
Roots & Routes
Curated by Gia Harewood
Featuring: Pixie Alexander, Kanchan Balsé, Gayle Friedman, Maggie Gourlay, Caroline MacKinnon, Louisa Neill, Rebecca Perez, Shelley Picot, Alex L. Porter, and Adi Segal
April 26 - May 26, 2024
IN THE MAIN GALLERY
THE DC ARTS CENTER’S SPARKPLUG ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE PRESENTS
Roots & Routes
Curated by Gia Harewood
Featuring: Pixie Alexander, Kanchan Balsé, Gayle Friedman, Maggie Gourlay, Caroline MacKinnon, Louisa Neill, Rebecca Perez, Shelley Picot, Alex L. Porter, and Adi Segal
April 26 - May 26, 2024
Roots & Routes is the culminating exhibition for the 2021 - 2023 cohort of The DC Art Center’s Sparkplug Artists’ Collective. These ten artists riff on the various meanings of roots as family, identity, and groundedness, along with routes as paths and journeys to raise the critical questions that invite introspection and even advocacy. In a sociopolitical climate that feels like it is stifling connection, collaboration, and calm, it is easy to lose hope.
Underground Horizons is a collection of works on paper from Black Fugitive Folklore, a body of work by interdisciplinary artist, Jessica Valoris. The collection honors the histories of enslaved peoples’ escape and sovereign community-building (marronage), along with the ways that Black people evade capture, and imagine a world beyond the oppressions of racialized violence (Black fugitivity). Today, these practices continue through various Black cultural expressions, oral traditions, and radical political organizing to offer blueprints for abolition, reparations, land stewardship, and transformative justice.
NANO GALLERY
underground horizons
Work by Jessica Valoris
Curated by Gia Harewood
April 26 - June 30, 2024
IN THE NANO GALLERY
underground horizons
Work by Jessica Valoris
Curated by Gia Harewood
April 26 - June 30, 2024
underground horizons is a collection of works on paper from Black Fugitive Folklore, a body of work by interdisciplinary artist, Jessica Valoris. The collection honors the histories of enslaved peoples’ escape and sovereign community-building (marronage), along with the ways that Black people evade capture, and imagine a world beyond the oppressions of racialized violence (Black fugitivity). Today, these practices continue through various Black cultural expressions, oral traditions, and radical political organizing to offer blueprints for abolition, reparations, land stewardship, and transformative justice.
Experience the inclusive spirit of WallMountables, one of Washington DC's most renowned artistic showcases presented by The DC Arts Center (DCAC). Since its establishment in 1989, DCAC has been committed to nurturing underrepresented artists, and WallMountables exemplifies this mission by providing a platform to celebrate and showcase the diverse and thriving creative community in the region.
During WallMountables, DCAC transforms its gallery walls into a dynamic floor-to-ceiling grid of 2-foot by 2-foot squares, serving as a unique canvas for artists to display their work. The result is a remarkable visual tapestry encompassing creations from children, students, self-taught artists, as well as emerging, mid, and late-career artists.
IN THE MAIN & NANO GALLERY
WallMountables
2023
DC’S Largest open community exhibition and The DC Arts Center’s annual fundraiser.
July 7 - August 6, 2023