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!
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 Jason Kalajainen at info@luminarts.org or (312) 435-5961.
The Luminarts Fellowship includes programs in Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Classical Music, and Jazz. In order to be eligible to apply for the Fellowship Program applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30, live or reside within Illinois, Indiana, Michigan or Wisconsin, and be currently enrolled in, or graduated from, a degree program, conservatory, or other professional artist development program.
Luminarts also offers extensive opportunities for Luminarts Fellows through Fellow Project Grants to support special residency opportunities, lectures, workshops, mentorship, and facilitated conversations that provide valuable insights into building a successful career in the arts and strengthening our community of participating artists.
Luminarts Fellows are eligible to apply for funding of projects that break new ground artistically, professionally, and personally. 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 on the individual Fellow and their career trajectory in the arts.
Applicants must be designated a Luminarts Fellow to apply for a project grant and may request funding up to $5,000. The request cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost/budget. While applicants are not required to live in the Chicago area, they must be able to demonstrate how the funded opportunity will benefit the greater Chicago region. In addition, Fellows can receive project grant support totaling up to $15,000 within 10 years of being named a Fellow. Deadlines to apply are October 15 and March 15 and Fellows will be notified about the status of their proposal within four weeks of the application deadline.
For questions about project grants and eligibility click below or contact the Foundation at info@luminarts.org or call (312) 435-5961.
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.
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.
Emily and Daniel North
Luminarts Board of Directors
When
Saturday, October 7, 2023
5:30 – 9 PM
Location
The Arts Club of Chicago
201 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL
Tickets
$1,000 Premier Tickets
(includes 2 tickets, complimentary valet parking, and recognition in the event program)
$350 Standard Ticket
RSVP by sending in your reply card or registering using the form below
Attire
Cocktail Attire
Join us for Next begins Now, kicking off Luminarts’ second decade of supporting outstanding, emerging artists! The event will feature a cocktail reception, world-class performances, studio visits, readings by our incredible Luminarts Fellows, and an elegant dinner.
Proceeds from Next begins Now will enable Luminarts to award core Fellowships of $10,000 or more per artist, run two new artist residencies per year, distribute project grants, and provide other life-changing resources needed by exemplary, emerging artists to launch and sustain a professional career in the arts.
Contact Alex Benjamin, Development Director, at alex@luminarts.org or (312) 692-2379 with any questions. To view sponsorship opportunities, please click the link below.
Mary and Lionel Go &
Dr. Sally Metzler and George Dunea, MD
J. Alexander Cestero and Brian Walsh
Emily and Daniel North
Bill and Sandy Richards &
Michael and Cheryl Del Campo
Roxanne J. Decyk and Dr. Lew Watts
David Helverson and Stephen Alvey
Jason Kalajainen and Josh Shames
Cherilyn G. Murer
Robert Parris and Bradley Renner
J. Alexander Cestero and Brian Walsh
Wendy Betts
Michael and Cheryl Del Campo
Jane and Bob Clark
Jenni and Shawn Clark
Roxanne J. Decyk and Dr. Lew Watts
Julia and Matt Doherty
Ardena L. Flippin, MD
Scott and Edie Fortman
Mary and Lionel Go
Karen and Bob Jones
Myrna W. Kaplan
Thomas F. Karaba and Marsha Hoover
Andrew Lapp
Lindsay and Kyle Mackey
John and Carol McKinnon
Dr. Sally Metzler and George Dunea, MD
Gary F. Metzner and Scott Johnson
Cherilyn G. Murer
Matt R. Olaveson and Adam G. Vitale
Robert Parris and Bradley Renner
Alyssa D. and Brian Quinlan
Bill and Sandy Richards
Mario Santiago
Roz Skozen and Bo Wheeler
Penelope Steiner
A special thanks to Alyssa D. Quinlan for facilitating the event’s fund-the-need.
The Luminarts Cultural Foundation provides grant funding to local organizations through developed core partnerships that align with Luminarts’ mission. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, letters of inquiry, or other unsolicited monetary requests.
If you have questions about Luminarts and its partnerships please contact 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.
Attn: Alex Benjamin
Development Director, 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 Alex Benjamin, Development Director, at alex@luminarts.org or (312) 692-2379.
This list reflects gifts made between January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Luminarts sincerely apologizes for any omissions or spelling errors. Please contact Alex Benjamin, Director of Development, at (312) 692-2379 or alex@luminarts.org with any corrections.
