CityCenterDC Launches National Call for '250 Years of American Style' Public Art Installation

Multidisciplinary creators invited to explore 250 years of American style for winning installation in Palmer Alley

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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CityCenterDC, a mixed-use development in Washington, D.C., has launched a national juried art competition called "250 Years of American Style." The competition invites artists, designers, and other creative visionaries to interpret the evolution of American identity through style, design, and creative expression. The winning concept will be realized as a multi-block suspended installation in CityCenterDC's iconic Palmer Alley in June 2026.

Why it matters

As a destination where fashion, architecture, and contemporary culture converge, CityCenterDC aims to serve as a platform for public art and cultural expression in the nation's capital. The "250 Years of American Style" competition provides a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary creators to explore the cultural power of American style and its enduring influence.

The details

The competition is open to visual artists, fashion and costume designers, architects, sculptors, set designers, students, and other multidisciplinary creators. A distinguished jury of cultural leaders, including journalists, fashion executives, and art professionals, will select the winning concept. The artist will receive a $10,000 honorarium, and CityCenterDC will provide up to $100,000 in production funding to support fabrication and installation. If needed, Design Foundry will be available to collaborate on engineering and fabrication support.

  • The call for entries is now open.
  • The submission deadline is April 15, 2026.
  • The winning installation will be exhibited in Palmer Alley at CityCenterDC from June 2026 to October 2026.

The players

CityCenterDC

A unique, pedestrian-friendly, 10-acre mixed-use development located in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., developed by Hines and Qatari Diar.

Timothy Lowery

Managing Director - Retail and Mixed Use at Hines, the developer of CityCenterDC.

Robin Givhan

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

Jeffrey Wilkins

Vice President, Visual Merchandising – Americas, Gucci.

Concetta Duncan

Head of Communications & Marketing, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

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What they’re saying

“For more than a decade, CityCenterDC has served as a platform for public art and cultural expression in the nation's capital.”

— Timothy Lowery, Managing Director - Retail and Mixed-Use at Hines (EINPresswire.com)

What’s next

The winning concept will be selected by the jury, and the installation will be exhibited in Palmer Alley at CityCenterDC from June 2026 to October 2026.

The takeaway

The "250 Years of American Style" public art competition at CityCenterDC provides a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary creators to explore the cultural power and enduring influence of American style, showcasing the creativity, innovation, and diversity that have shaped the nation's visual language and identity.