Union League Club 65 W Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL 60604 phone: 312.435.5961 email: info@luminarts.org
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.
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.
Be sure to subscribe to our email list and receive updates regarding program announcements, Fellows, events, and the monthly Luminarts Letter!
The Luminarts Fellowship Program includes core awards* in Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Classical Music, and Jazz Improvisation. Core Fellowships include an unrestricted monetary award of $10,000-$15,000 depending on the discipline.
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.
*See Frequently Asked Questions for more information, including our Fellowships in Dance, Fashion, and Architecture, which are not decided through the process below.
Eligibility To be eligible, you must be able to answer “yes” to both of the following criteria:
-I am between the ages of 18 and 30 years old on the day I submit my application -I live or reside within 150 miles of the Chicago Loop on the day I submit my application
What’s New in 2026? -Applications open on October 1, 2025 and close on February 1, 2026. It is beneficial to submit your application before the deadline, if possible.
-Poetry applicants will be given the option to submit an audio recording of their submitted work(s) along with text documents (which will still be required).
-All finalists who do not receive a Fellowship and remain eligible for the program in 2027 will be supplied with written feedback from the final judging panel.
-All awarded 2026 Luminarts Fellows must list the award in their artist bio for at least 5 years.
–Sign up for our newsletter for updates and reminders about this year’s application process.
Have a question not answered above? Visit our FAQ page or contact us.
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. We are not currently accepting applications for Project Grants. The next deadline will be March 15, 2026.
For questions about project grants click below or contact us at info@luminarts.org or call (312) 435-5961.
We are not currently accepting applications for the 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
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. 
Non Discriminatory Statement and Commitment to Equity 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. 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.
Illuminate 2025 was one of the most successful galas in Luminarts history! It was a night to remember, and we are grateful to the guests and sponsors who made it possible.
Event Chairs: Becky and Rich Beem
This year’s event honors Cherilyn G. Murer‘s impactful leadership
in fulfilling the Luminarts mission to support exemplary emerging artists in Chicago
Host Committee
Wendy Betts – Rebecca & Richard Beem – Gretchen & Jonathan Burch – Lunden Cunningham
Angela Green – David Helverson – Andrew & Elizabeth Lapp – Alyssa & Brian Quinlan
Lynne & Tim Rinkoski – Mario Santiago – Paul & Beverly Sneddon
Becky & Rich Beem
Law Offices of Michael C. Goode
Sally Metzler, Ph.D & George Dunea, MD, in honor of Bill Richards (1954-2024)
Cherilyn G. Murer
Sandy Richards
GB Fine Art
Wendy Betts
Benesch LLP
BMO Wealth Management
Freeman’s | Hindman Auctions
Garrett Museum of Art | Angela Green & Jim Gabbard
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Generation Law, LTD.
Steve Goodwin
David Helverson & Stephen Alvey
Corinne Morrissey
Northern Illinois University
Brian & Tammi O’Dea
Elaine Olson, MD & Robert Boughton
Lynne & Tim Rinkoski
Paul & Beverly Sneddon
We thank Alyssa D. Quinlan, CEO of Freeman’s | Hindman Auctions for facilitating the evening’s fund-the-need.
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.
Luminarts is a 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 36-2446421. Gifts to Luminarts are tax deductible.
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
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You can view our 2024 donor list here.
This list reflects gifts made between January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. Luminarts sincerely apologizes for any omissions or spelling errors. Please contact Christina DeMarea, Executive Director, at (312) 435-5961 or christina@luminarts.org with any corrections.