Art Bank Currently there are over 2,000 artworks in the Art Bank Collection in nearly 145 District Government agencies.  Artwork is purchased by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) from local artists, providing them with financial and professional benefits. The artwork is documented, framed and installed in public areas of District government agencies, improving the environment in public facilities for District employees and residents. Each agency is required to sign a loan agreement to preserve the artworks and keep record of their location.  A call for artists is initiated each year for local artists to apply. A selection committee is formed to review the images of the works available for purchase. There are a number of selections made. Artists are asked to bring in the actual work for a second review by the committee. The committee makes a final selection at the second review based on the available budget each fiscal year.  The largest display of artwork from the Art Bank is the City Hall Art Collection at the John A. Wilson Building in downtown DC entitled The HeArt of DC. In 2006 the DC Creates Public Art Program acquired 153 works of art representing 100 Metropolitan area artists for the inaugural phase of the City Hall Art Collection. In 2008, the program made another acquisition bringing the number of pieces to over 200. The collection showcases the extent and depth of our local visual arts talent. Over 10 percent of the artists were born in the District, and most have lived here for over 20 years. In addition to supporting the work of living artists through art purchases, we were able to enhance the collection with the work of nationally recognized DC artists including Gene Davis and Alma Thomas. By presenting art outside traditional venues of museums and galleries, the City Hall Art Collection benefits the community and its visitors by increasing access to art, extending our cultural institutions’ reach, and providing artists with opportunities to expand their artistic practice and audience.  Installed in the John A. Wilson Building, the collection is open to the public.  The collection is open to the public during the normal business hours: Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm. Free, guided tours of the exhibition are offered bimonthly.  For more information contact Beth Baldwin, Art Bank Coordinator, at beth.baldwin@dc.gov or (202) 724-5613.