Our Mission
The only institution in the greater Washington, DC area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline.
Become an Artist Member
Free access to space, 2 free squares at WallMountables, no application fees, higher commission, free workshops, and more. Become a member today and support your visual and performing arts practice like none other.
Pictured Above
The DC Arts Center following a historic renovation
Our Mission
The only institution in the greater Washington, DC, area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline.
Become an Artist Member
Free access to space, 2 free squares at WallMountables, no application fees, higher commission, free workshops, and more. Become a member today and support your visual and performing arts practice like none other.
Pictured Above
The DC Arts Center following a historic renovation
Our Mission
The only institution in the greater Washington, DC area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline.
Become an Artist Member
Free access to space, 2 free squares at WallMountables, no application fees, higher commission, free workshops, and more. Become a member today and support your visual and performing arts practice like none other.
Pictured Above
The DC Arts Center following a historic renovation
Our Mission
The only institution in the greater Washington, DC area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in
every discipline.
Become an Artist Member
Free access to space, 2 free squares at WallMountables, no application fees, higher commission, free workshops, and more. Become a member today and support your visual and performing arts practice like none other.
Featured Above
The DC Arts Center following historic renovation
Education
Apply for the 2025 Curatorial Initiative
The Curatorial Initiative reflects The DC Arts Center's commitment to fostering underrepresented artists by offering a rare, year-long opportunity to develop the fundamental skills of artistic curation. Each year, one to two Apprentice Curators are selected to work alongside a professional Mentor Curator in planning and mounting two to three full-scale exhibitions at The DC Arts Center.
First, with the assistance of the Apprentice Curator, the Mentor Curator leads the curatorial process—honing vision, selecting artists, crafting a catalog, and bringing an exhibition from concept to installation. Then, the roles are reversed, and the Apprentice Curator leads the curatorial process with the assistance and advice of the Mentor Curator.
Community Event
WallMountables 2025
Registration for WallMountables 2025 is now live. Join us for one of DC’s largest open community exhibitions and The DC Arts Center’s annual fundraiser. One great way to participate and support DCAC is by becoming an Artist Member.
Learn all about an Artist Membership here.
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! We sell the most art each year at WallMountables. Last year’s exhibition saw over $9,000 in art sales!
Annual Report
Explore our FY24 Annual Report
We’re thrilled to invite you to explore The DC Arts Center’s first-ever public annual report. This vibrant look back at the past year highlights the creativity, determination, and community that fuel our mission. Inside, you'll find stories of groundbreaking performances, riveting exhibitions, profound educational initiatives, and the invaluable support of our community that made it all possible.
Join us as we share the milestones that have shaped our journey and the impact The DC Arts Center has on the community here in Adams Morgan and the city at large. Dive into the report and see how your support continues to inspire and empower local artistry.
in.
In the Main Gallery
May 30 - June 29, 2025
Wednesday - Sunday, 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Pictured Above
Hosna Shahramipoor
Duality, 2025
Digital print
31” x 27”
$2500
Featuring
Hosna Shahramipoor
Curated by
Briget Heidmous
in. excavates layered immigrant experiences, from the lens of a woman in the early years of motherhood, grappling with decorum, identity, and autonomy. Hosna Shahramipoor navigates disparate cultures, telling raw and relatable stories through self-portraits imbued with gallows humor. Curated by Briget Heidmous.
Pushing the Envelope
In the Nano Gallery
April 25 - June 29, 2025
Wednesday - Sunday, 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Pictured Above
Kirk Knoll
Shadows, 2024
Acrylic on recycled #10 windowed envelope
4.125"x 9.5"
$30
Featuring
Kirk Knoll
Curated by
Milan Warner
In Pushing the Envelope, artist Kirk Knoll explores life: at times, delicate, luminous, and playful, and at others, grotesque and repulsive - so much so that we instinctively look away—a visual tension between beauty and revulsion. The contrast feels both essential and honest.
At its core, this series is also about empathy–how we absorb or ignore the brutality surrounding us and the danger of becoming indifferent.
Kirk demands that we acknowledge where we’ve come from to avoid repeating the same atrocities.