“Having a solo exhibition at the DC Arts Center had a positive impact on my professional growth, helping me expand my audience and deepen my connections within the DC arts community. It introduced me to the many opportunities at DCAC and the broader DC arts scene, and I had the chance to connect with other artists whose work I have come to admire.”
—Keidy Mérida
Primary, The DC Arts Center’s Nano Gallery, 2024
Exhibit in the Main
or Nano Gallery
The DC Arts Center accepts applications to
exhibit in our Main and Nano Galleries on a rolling basis.
Exhibit in our Main or Nano Gallery
The DC Arts Center accepts applications to exhibit in our Main and Nano Galleries on a rolling basis.
“Having a solo exhibition at the DC Arts Center had a positive impact on my professional growth, helping me expand my audience and deepen my connections within the DC arts community. It introduced me to the many opportunities at DCAC and the broader DC arts scene, and I had the chance to connect with other artists whose work I have come to admire.”
—Keidy Mérida
Primary, The DC Arts Center’s Nano Gallery, 2024
Intrinsic Tool
The DC Arts Center’s Main Gallery, 2024
Curated by Carter Wynne
Why Exhibit at
The DC Arts Center?
The DC Arts Center (DCAC) is the only organization in the greater Washington, D.C. area solely dedicated to fostering under-represented artists in every discipline. By offering physical space, meaningful programming, and coveted resources, we eliminate predominant barriers to entry or reentry, resulting in a future where the arts are inclusive of diverse cultures, people, and narratives.
Located in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, DCAC operates a small arts facility that includes two art galleries, a 41-seat black box theater, and office space. The organization completed a historic full-facility renovation in 2024, marking the first comprehensive overhaul in decades.
Founded in 1989 as an accessible alternative arts center in response to diminishing support for local artists, DCAC has consistently upheld this mission, having fostered thousands of diverse artists for more than three decades.
When selected to exhibit at The DC Arts Center, artists are provided with all the resources necessary to execute a successful exhibition in one of the nation’s largest cities, including access to DCAC's rich network of artists, curators, and collectors. DCAC provides additional curatorial, marketing, and advertising support alongside numerous ancillary programming opportunities, such as opening and closing receptions and artists’ talks.
The Application Process
At The DC Arts Center (DCAC), we accept exhibition proposals and artwork submissions from artists and curators year-round. We welcome original work for consideration in both solo and group exhibitions in either our Main or Nano Gallery. While artists are encouraged to indicate the gallery space that best fits their work, final placement decisions rest with DCAC.
DCAC is committed to supporting artists at all stages of their careers and across all disciplines. We encourage proposals from those actively engaged in their practice and eager to present innovative, thought-provoking work. We welcome applications from all artists and do not discriminate on any basis. Proposals are reviewed quarterly by DCAC’s Visual Arts Committee according to the evaluation schedule below.
Eligibility
You must be a local curator or artist working in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia).
You must be available to attend multiple events surrounding the exhibition in person, including an Opening Celebration, Artist Talk, and Closing Reception.
Artists who have had a solo exhibition at The DC Arts Center within the past three years will not be eligible for another solo exhibition until three years have passed. Inclusion in a group show is still possible. Participation in the ADMO Art Walk or WallMountables does not count toward this restriction.
Our Institutional Value
As a matter of principle, all DCAC exhibitions are curator-driven. While artists may submit proposals for exhibitions or bodies of work, the final decision on how the work is presented rests with the curator. This may mean:
The exhibition proposed, which has already been curated by someone else, is selected as submitted.
A piece or pieces from your submitted body of work are included in a group show.
DCAC pairs you with a curator from our roster to help shape the exhibition proposal submitted.
A curator develops a new exhibition concept around your work.
We believe this approach fosters dialogue, context, and artistic growth—ensuring that every exhibition at DCAC reflects a meaningful exchange between artists and curators and is situated within a broader conversation.
If Your Application is Accepted
You will be notified and added to DCAC’s roster of approved exhibiting artists. Your materials will be shared with our curatorial team, who regularly review this roster when planning future exhibitions. If a curator expresses interest in your work, they will contact you to coordinate a studio visit as the next step. This stage is entirely curator-driven—it may move quickly depending on gallery needs, or it may take time. Either way, your work will remain active in our system and under consideration for future opportunities.
If Your Application is Not Accepted:
You will be notified and receive feedback from the committee’s deliberations. We encourage future submissions after the feedback provided has been taken into consideration and applied to your work.
Application Requirements
Artist Statement & Biography
Artist Resumé
Proposed Exhibition Details (title and description)
Image/Video List
High-resolution images or videos that clearly reflect your work as you intend it to be exhibited.
$25 application fee
waived for Artist Members
Application Criteria
Artistic Quality
Conceptual Coherence
Readiness for Exhibition
Growth Potential
Alignment with DCAC’s Mission
Marketability & Appeal
2025 Review Schedule
March 19
May 21
September 3
November 19
Gallery Quick Facts
The DC Arts Center has two newly renovated art galleries — The Main Gallery and the Nano Gallery.
The Main Gallery features full-size works of all mediums and is approximately 700 square feet.
The Nano Gallery features small-format work that can be easily hung and is approximately 125 square feet.
Artists retain a 60% commission on all work sold. 70% for Artist Members!
The Application Process
The DC Arts Center (DCAC) welcomes year-round submissions of exhibition proposals and original work from artists and curators for consideration in both solo and group exhibitions in our Main and Nano Galleries.
DCAC is committed to supporting artists at all stages of their careers and across all disciplines. We encourage proposals from those actively engaged in their practice and eager to present innovative, thought-provoking work. We welcome applications from all artists and do not discriminate on any basis. Proposals are reviewed quarterly by DCAC’s Visual Arts Committee according to the evaluation schedule below.
Eligibility
You must be a local artist or curator working in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia).
You must be available to attend multiple in-person events surrounding the exhibition, including an Opening Celebration, an Artist Talk, and a Closing Reception.
Artists who have presented a solo exhibition at The DC Arts Center within the past three years are not eligible for another solo exhibition until three years have passed from the closing date of their most recent show. Inclusion in a group show is still possible. Participation in the ADMO Art Walk or WallMountables does not count toward this restriction.
Our Institutional Value
As a matter of principle, all DCAC exhibitions are curator-driven. While artists may submit proposals for exhibitions or bodies of work, the final decision on how the work is presented rests with the curator. This may mean:
The exhibition proposed, which has already been curated by someone else, is selected as submitted.
A piece or pieces from your submitted body of work are included in a group show.
DCAC pairs you with a curator from our roster to help shape the proposal/works submitted.
DCAC pairs you with a curator who develops a new exhibition concept around your work.
We believe this approach fosters dialogue, context, and artistic growth—ensuring that every exhibition at DCAC reflects a meaningful exchange between artists and curators and is situated within a broader conversation.
If Your Application is Accepted
You will be notified and added to DCAC’s roster of approved exhibiting artists. Your materials will be shared with our curatorial team, who regularly review this roster when planning future exhibitions. If a curator expresses interest in your work, they will contact you to coordinate a studio visit as the next step. This stage is entirely curator-driven—it may move quickly depending on gallery needs, or it may take time. Either way, your work will remain active in our system and under consideration for future opportunities.
If Your Application is Not Accepted:
You will be notified and receive feedback from the committee’s deliberations. We encourage future submissions after the feedback provided has been taken into consideration and applied to your work.
Application Requirements
Artist Statement & Biography
Artist Resumé
Proposed Exhibition Details (title and description)
Image/Video List
High-resolution images or videos that clearly reflect your work as you intend it to be exhibited.
$25 application fee
waived for Artist Members
Application Criteria
Artistic Quality
Conceptual Coherence
Readiness for Exhibition
Growth Potential
Alignment with DCAC’s Mission
Marketability & Appeal
2025 Review Schedule
March 19
May 21
September 3
November 19
Gallery Quick Facts
The DC Arts Center has two newly renovated art galleries — The Main Gallery and the Nano Gallery.
The Main Gallery features full-size works of all mediums and is approximately 700 square feet.
The Nano Gallery features small-format work that can be easily hung and is approximately 125 square feet.
Artists retain a 60% commission on all work sold. 70% for Artist Members!
Ready to take the next step?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Of course! While the application fee helps sustain our nonprofit operations and mission-driven programs, we never want it to be a barrier for any artist. If the fee presents a hardship, just email us at info@dcartscenter.org, and we’ll be happy to waive the fee.
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Exhibitions typically run for three to four weeks, depending on the yearly calendar, allowing us to showcase as many artists as possible each year. However, because fewer artists work in small formats, exhibitions in the Nano Gallery may have extended runs.
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We will promote your exhibition across multiple platforms to maximize visibility. It will be listed and described on our website and featured on all our social media channels. We’ll also generate and distribute a press release and ensure your exhibition is listed with East City Art along with any other relevant outlets. Finally, we will produce a full-color catalogue and highlight your exhibition in our weekly emails, reaching nearly 4,000 subscribers.
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As a multidisciplinary arts organization with limited space and resources, we are unable to provide storage. All artwork must be installed and deinstalled on the agreed-upon date and time. Artists are responsible for removing all materials, including packing and installation supplies, at the time of installation and/or deinstallation.
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The DC Arts Center does not provide insurance of any kind and is not liable for any claims related to damage, loss, or theft. While we have a security system with 24/7 monitoring, we strongly encourage all artists to insure their work prior to the exhibition date.
As a small arts organization, we are rarely eligible for comprehensive art insurance policies. Because we work with a wide range of artists and artworks with varying values, we cannot demonstrate a consistent sales price—a key requirement for insurers. As a result, policies available to us would typically only cover the cost of materials, such as the canvas or paint, rather than the full artistic value of the work.
To be clear, The DC Arts Center will not compensate any artist for any claim of loss at any point in the process, including during shipping, installation, exhibition, or deinstallation. We encourage all participating artists to secure their own coverage to ensure full protection.
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First, celebrate! Once your work is sold, we’ll calculate our commission percentage and forward the remaining balance to you. We will then contact the buyer to arrange pickup on the last day of the exhibition.
If the buyer is unable to pick up the work in person, we will coordinate shipping. Please note that shipping is at the buyer’s expense and the artist’s risk. The DC Arts Center does not accept liability for any damage incurred during shipping.
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Installation typically takes place over the three days leading up to the exhibition opening. Our staff is here to support you throughout the process and can assist as much or as little as you prefer. Whether you’d like hands-on help or just guidance, we’re available to ensure your vision comes to life.
Deinstallation happens immediately after the closing reception on the final day of the exhibition. Due to our tight turnaround between shows, we must adhere to strict deinstallation timelines. We appreciate your cooperation in following these schedules to keep everything running smoothly.