Contact

Staff

Christina Deaton DeMarea
Executive Director
christina@luminarts.org

Alex Benjamin
Director of Programs
alex@luminarts.org

Board

Gretchen Burch, President
Mario Santiago,  First Vice President
Thomas Teichgraeber,  Secretary
Andrew Lapp, Treasurer
Sally Metzler, PhD, Immediate Past President
Mark Arizmendi

Rebecca Beem
Wendy Betts
Richard Doermer
Ardena L. Flippin, MD
Anna Ganse
Michael Goode
Steven Goodwin

Kyle Mackey
Rebecca Makkai
Cherilyn G. Murer
Matt Olaveson
Julianna Tancredi
Eric Wassenaar
Bruce Williams

Contact Information

Luminarts Cultural Foundation

Union League Club‎ of Chicago
65 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604
phone: 312.435.5961
email: info@luminarts.org

ABOUT US

The Luminarts Cultural Foundation cultivates Chicago’s vibrant arts community by supporting exemplary young artists through its competitive programs that offer financial awards, artistic opportunities, and mentoring that bridge the gap between education and career.

History

visual-arts-home_ About Us_ web

Founded in 1949 as the Union League Civic & Arts Foundation (CAF), Luminarts Cultural Foundation was created by members of the Union League Club of Chicago as a separate, not-for-profit organization. Deeply rooted in the Union League Club of Chicago, Luminarts strengthens the cultural community of Chicago by upholding the club’s century-long tradition of advocating for the arts. Luminarts is dedicated to encouraging our city’s outstanding young artists so that their emerging talent might be heard in performance halls, read within libraries and homes, and exhibited in galleries, museums, and the hallowed walls of the Union League Club.

News & Events

Be sure to subscribe to our email list and receive updates regarding program announcements, Fellows, events, and the monthly Luminarts Letter!




ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES

Luminarts welcomes talented young artists of all social, economic and cultural backgrounds. As a young visual artist, musician, vocalist, or writer from the Chicago area, we invite and encourage you to compete for grants, creative opportunities, and to become Luminarts Fellows.

Non Discriminatory Statement and Commitment to Equity

Luminarts is committed to ensuring equity within its programs and welcomes applicants, artists, audience members, and supporters regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, class, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or citizenship status.

Luminarts works directly with artists, jurors, and attendees to make accommodations as needed and holds events at various spaces which are accessible. To request accommodations for Luminarts’ programs or events, please contact Luminarts at info@luminarts.org.

Luminarts Fellowships

The Luminarts Fellowship includes programs in Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Classical Music, and Jazz. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30 and live or reside within 150 miles of the Chicago Loop. Once an artist is awarded a Luminarts Fellowship, they are eligible to apply for additional opportunities for a period of 10 years. These opportunities include project grants, workshops, mentorship, and facilitated conversations that provide valuable insights into building a successful career in the arts.

 

Visual Arts

Visual Arts Opportunities

Classical Music

Classical Music Opportunities

Jazz Music

jazz opp page_luminarts site

Creative Writing

Fellow Project Grants

Luminarts Fellows may apply for funding of artistic projects for up to 10 years after they win their initial Fellowship. While Project Grants aim to support a broad and diverse scope of career development opportunities for Fellows, Project Grant proposals are strongest when they demonstrate a significant and pivotal impact both on the individual Fellow and on the Chicago region specifically. Applying for a project grant is a competitive process and not all applicants can be funded.

Note: you must first be awarded a Luminarts Fellowship in order to be eligible for a project grant.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted in full by October 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Fellows will be notified on or before December 1, 2024 about the status of their application.

Apply here!

View grant guidelines here.

 

For questions about project grants click below or contact Alex Benjamin, Director of Programs, at alex@luminarts.org or call (312) 435-5961.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Ambassador Award

Luminarts Fellows are eligible to apply for $2,500 awards in support of being ambassadors for the Luminarts Cultural Foundation beyond the Chicago region.

The Luminarts Cultural Foundation will accept funding proposals from Luminarts Fellows who have significant projects (performances, exhibitions, readings, etc.) in major markets outside of the Chicago area whereby they will highlight the Luminarts Cultural Foundation’s support in tandem with their outstanding talent.

While the available funds should be of benefit to the Luminarts Fellow, a primary goal of this funding is to raise awareness of the Luminarts Cultural Foundation outside of the Chicago region. In accordance with this, awards will be distributed based on the following criteria:

Ambassador Guidelines

  • Location of the Luminarts Fellow’s project
  • Anticipated number in attendance at event
  • Anticipated marketing/media for the event
  • Luminarts prominence in event materials
  • Luminarts prominence in promotion and media
  • The use of social media to promote the project and the Luminarts Cultural Foundation and the potential number of people reached

 

We are not currently accepting applications for the Ambassador Award.

 

Residencies

Sponsored by Cherilyn G. Murer

Luminarts Fellows are invited, on a revolving basis, to two annual residency programs for 15 artists each: one at Ragdale Foundation Lake Forest, IL and one at Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists’ Residency in Saugatuck, MI. Each residency includes an artist stipend, mentorship, professional development, studio visits, meals and lodging, and unscheduled time to work on projects which residents may not otherwise have the time or resources to complete. Programming is paired with the opportunity to be in community with other Luminarts Fellows, and to connect with professional artists, staff members, and supporters.

Knowing that many residencies have historically been out of reach for artists of color, low income artists, and other marginalized identities due to location, cost, and systemic racism, we work to ensure that all of our Fellows have access to both residencies on a revolving basis.

OUR FELLOWS

Introducing the Chicago area’s most talented, emerging young artists. Join us in celebrating their exceptional creativity and work.  

FELLOWS BY YEAR

NEXT BEGINS NOW

Friday, October 18, 2024

Location
The Arts Club of Chicago
201 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL

Tickets
$1,000 Premier Tickets (2)
(includes 2 tickets, complimentary valet parking, and recognition in the event program)
$350 Standard Ticket (1)

Attire
Cocktail Attire

ABOUT NEXT BEGINS NOW

Luminarts Cultural Foundation’s annual Next begins Now returns with a dazzling evening featuring Chicago’s next generation of artists, along with a cocktail reception and dinner. All proceeds support emerging artists with fellowships, project grants, and professional resources.

Please find sponsorship opportunities here.

Can’t make it to the event but want to make a donation?

Please contact Christina DeMarea, Executive Director, at christina@luminarts.org or 312-282-2217, with questions or to pledge a sponsorship.


Thank you to our sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Thank you to Wintrust Bank for helping ...

Innovation Sponsors

Sally Metzler, PhD, and George Dunea, MD

Creativity Sponsors

Rebecca and Richard Beem

Richard Doermer, in memory of Bill Richards

Sandy Richards

Impact Sponsors

BMO

US Bank

Gretchen and Jonathan Burch

Christina and Brad DeMarea

Anna Ganse

Garrett Museum of Art

David Helverson and Stephen Alvey

Cherilyn G. Murer

Lynne and Tim Rinkoski

Host Committee

Wendy Betts – Rebecca & Richard Beem – Gretchen & Jonathan Burch – Anna Ganse
David Helverson & Stephen Alvey – Karen & Bob Jones – Andrew & Elizabeth Lapp
John & Carol McKinnon – Cherlyn G. Murer – Sally Metzler, Ph. D & George Dunea, MD
Alyssa & Brian Quinlan – Bob & Viki Ryan

We thank Alyssa Quinlan of Freeman’s | Hindman Auctions for facilitating this evening’s fund-the-need.

PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships

Union League Club of Chicago

 

Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
Oxbow Logo_White_2018
Chicago Artists Coalition Logo

 

Hyde Park Art Center
Ryan Opera Center Logo_ web
Architecture Logo_ web__

 

SAIC Logo
11_Joffrey Logo-White
Ragdale Logo

 

Mooney Logo

 

SUPPORT

The Luminarts Cultural Foundation cultivates Chicago’s vibrant arts community by supporting exemplary young artists through its competitive programs that offer financial awards, artistic opportunities, and mentoring that bridge the gap between education and career.

Interested in making a gift to Luminarts?

  • To make an online contribution via credit card, please click here.
  • To make a gift over the phone, please call Christina DeMarea, Executive Director, at 312.435.5961
  • To make a gift via check, please send your check, made out to “Luminarts Cultural Foundation” to:

Attn: Christina Demarea
Luminarts Cultural Foundation
65 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3598

Are you a member of the Union League Club of Chicago? If you are a Union League Club of Chicago Member and would like to use your ULC Member Number to make a contribution please contact Luminarts at (312) 435-5961 or info@luminarts.org to provide your ULC Member Number and contribution amount.

Questions or comments? Please contact Christina DeMarea, Executive Director, at christina@luminarts.org or 312.435.5961

.


Thank You to Our 2022 Donors

This list reflects gifts made between January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Luminarts sincerely apologizes for any omissions or spelling errors. Please contact Christina DeMarea, Executive Director, at christina@luminarts.org or 312.435.5961 with any corrections.

Visionaries $20,000+

Clayco
Richard D. Doermer
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Mary and Lionel L. Go
Myrna W. Kaplan
Dr. Sally Metzler and George Dunea, MD
Cherilyn G. Murer
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation
Douglas K. Walker
Wintrust

Champions $10,000 – 19,999

James O. Berry
Robert G. Clark
Shawn and Jenni Clark
Tilden Cummings, Jr.
Roxanne Decyk and Dr. Lew Watts
Mike and Cheryl Del Campo
The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust
Hindman Auctions
Illinois Arts Council Agency
Thomas F. Karaba and Marsha Hoover
Martha Jahn Martin
Emily and Daniel North
Matt R. Olaveson and Adam G. Vitale
William E. Richards and North Star Family Office
Hunt R. Tackbary
Tawani Foundation

Partners $5,000 – 9,999

J. Alexander Cestero
CIBC Private Wealth Management
Sara Connell
Frank De Vincentis
Julia Doherty
Edward S. Sprague Foundation
Jason Kalajainen and Josh Shames
Gary F. Metzner
Jay A. Morton and Michael Phillips
Brian O’Dea
Thompson Coburn LLP

Benefactors $2,500 – 4,999

Eric and Karen Boyd
Gretchen A. Burch
Nick Cave
Sarah de Blasio
John and Connie Donnelly
Celine M. Fitzgerald
Dr. Ardena L. Flippin, MD
Scott and Edie Fortman
John R. Halligan Charitable Fund
Karen and Bob Jones
Kyle and Lindsay Mackey
Dan and Anita Mauro
John and Carol McKinnon
Leslie McMillan
Metropolitan Capital Bank and Trust
Alyssa Quinlan
Ann Ruscher
Temitope D. Sadiku and Aaron-Michael Sapp
Shade Family Foundation
Julianna and Tom Tancredi
Thomas and Linda Teichgraeber
U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management
Brian and Robin Velo
Eric D. Wassenaar
Mario Wilson

Members $1,000 – 2,499

Mara Mills Barker
William and Norma Beckemeier
Wendy J. Betts
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
Nick Cappelletti
Linton J. Childs
Dona DiCaro
Patricia Fors
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Keith A. Hebeisen
Linda J. Jakubs and William S. Wigoda
George L. Jewell
James F. Kinoshita and Merrillyn J. Kosier
New York Life
Kerry James Marshall and Cheryl Lynn Bruce
Dr. Sam Mikaelian
Eran Miller and Steven Smutny
MSW HCRE, LLC
Ken Norgan
Seaton Tinley Preston III
Bob and Nancy Russell
Richard Ryan
Joan M. Solbeck
Jane Stevens
Kay and Craig Tuber
Mark Tunney
David B. and Mary Whitehurst
Joseph and Kelly Wicklander
Bruce A. Williams

Patrons $500 – 999

Stacey Barrins
Bruce W. Breitweiser
Joanne Brooks
Elizabeth R. Carroll
Michael Edwards Simons
Dr. Lisa C. Freeman and Dr. Doug Rose
James R. Gillespie
Jeffrey Grogger
Karen B. Hagberg
David L. Hanson
Brian and Mary Herbstritt
TJ Johnsrud
Elizabeth Kallenbach
Emily and Robert Kappers
Robert D. Kreisman
John F. Lemker, Jr.
Judge Benjamin S. Mackoff and Carol Mackoff
Jerry Manne
Heather McDermott
Kathryne E. Miecyjak
Elvia Moreno
Corinne S. Morrissey
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Nissen
Gregg Peck
Lynne Thomsen Rinkoski and Timothy R. Rinkoski
Chauncey H. Robinson
Stephen J. Schlegel
Hugh J. Schwartzberg
Ronald Seliga
Lisa Shade
Beverly Sneddon
Ellen Soren
Joan Steel
Elissa Tenny
Clark L. Wagner
I.B. Weil
Nathan White

Supporters $250 – 499

Rich P. Beem
James B. Begley
Bobbye Cochran
Mark W. Coe
Terri D’Ancona
Cynthia L. Doloughty
William C. Glynn
Richard L. Handley
Jessica Jagielnik
Stephen Joyce, Jr.
Paul Kassel
Anna Kunz
Irene Kwasny
Ronald G. Lindenberg
Allen J. Lynch
Evgueni Minev
James J. Morgan
Frank and Mary Ellen Niederman
Thomas F. and Judi J. Olenick
Bradley Renner and Robert Parris
Richard Doermer and Caitlin McNabb Family Foundation
Ann Saltz
Elisabeth Schmidt
Earl Smith
Joan L. Stansberry
Taylor Stein
Claudia Tellez
Andrea Vitale
Dillon Wallace
Jim Zarosly

Advocates $150 – 249

Michael W. Franke
Jo Ann C. Grate
Thomas M. Hazlett
Mary Herrmann
Elizabeth Jazwiec
Andrew W. Levenfeld
Dan Novak
Elaine E. Olson
Mark H. Prince
Richard L. Rundle
John W. Schladweiler
Karen A. Schlueter
Jeffrey and Elizabeth Sharp
Peggy Swartchild
Stephen P. Thomas
Dr. Sandra L. Williams
Richard D. Yant
Keith E. Yavitt