Fellowship Programs

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. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30 and live or reside within 150 miles of the Chicago Loop.

If an applicant does not currently reside within the Chicago area, they must have spent 4-6 consecutive formative years within 150 miles of the Chicago Loop and consider themselves a Chicago artist. Luminarts defines formative years as having a pivotal impact on your training, education, artistic sensibility, and/or personal development.

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.

  What is a core Fellowship?

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 depending on the discipline. Core Fellowships are adjudicated by professional jurors in each artistic discipline, hired and facilitated by Luminarts staff. There are three additional disciplines of Fellowship awards (Architecture, Fashion, and Dance) which are adjudicated in partnership with peer organizations, awarded at the level of $5,000 each. The Luminarts Fashion Fellowship is decided in partnership with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Fashion Department. The Luminarts Architecture Fellowship is decided in partnership with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Midwest Chapter. The Luminarts Dance Fellowship is decided in partnership with the Grainger Academy of the Joffrey Ballet.

  How long does the application process take to complete?

The application process takes approximately five to ten minutes to complete online, once all required components are collected and attached to the application. Each program has specific components listed in the guidelines found on the Artist Opportunities page.

  What if I’m only 18 years old? Can I apply to the Fellowship?

Yes, Luminarts Fellowship programs are open to applicants between the ages of 18 and 30. You must be no younger than 18 years old and no older than 30 years old on the day you press submit on your application.

  I’m already 30 years old or I’m about to turn 31. Can I apply to the Fellowship?

Yes, as long as you are 30 years old on the date that you apply to the program.

  Can I apply for more than one Luminarts program?

You may apply to more than one program (e.g. visual arts and creative writing) within the same program year; however, you may only apply to a particular program one time within that program year. In addition, once an individual is selected as a Luminarts Fellow in a particular artistic discipline, they may not apply to another Fellowship program year or win a Fellowship in a different artistic discipline.

  When will I find out if I won?

Each artistic discipline has its own notification timeline. For a complete listing of each discipline’s eligibility rules, guidelines, repertoire requirements, and notification timeline, visit our “Artist Opportunities” page and navigate to the discipline for which you want to apply. If applications are currently open, you can also find this information on Submittable.

Project Grants

  Can I apply for a Project Grant?

Only Luminarts Fellows may apply for Project Grants. Project Grant proposals are reviewed twice per year, with the deadlines of March 15 and October 15.

  How do I know if Luminarts will fund my project?

Project grants are reviewed by multiple individuals in a committee approval format. For specific Project Grant guidelines and to apply, visit our Artist Opportunities page.

  How much funding will I receive for my project grant?

Fellows who apply for project grants may request to have their project funded up to 50 percent by Luminarts, up to a total of $5,000. For example, if your project cost is $3,500 you may apply for up to $1,750. In some instances when a project grant proposal is approved, Luminarts may consider funding less than the original requested amount, depending on a number of factors. Applicants are always encouraged to reach out to Luminarts staff with questions before submitting a project grant proposal. For specific Project Grant guidelines and to apply, visit our Artist Opportunities page.