Use the links below to register for our 2025-2026 events!

Fall 2025 Luminarts Live

Thursday, December 4th, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Café ONE at The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

Enjoy an intimate performance by Luminarts Fellows Alyssa Allgood, Ethan Philion, and Julius Tucker. Connect with other art and music lovers over a drink and see the fantastic talent of Luminarts artists!

Suggested donation: $10/guest

We recommend parking in the paid parking garage directly south of the Union League Club at 318 S Federal St. Paid valet parking is also available, starting at $25,  if you pull up to the Federal St side of the Union League Club.

Spring 2026 Luminarts Live

Thursday, March 12th, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Café ONE at The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

2026 Luminarts Visual Arts Exhibition

Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 PM

Chicago Artists Coalition, 1431 W Hubbard St, Suite 201 Chicago, IL 60642

2026 Luminarts Classical Piano and Strings Finals

Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM

The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

2026 Luminarts Classical Voice Finals

Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM

The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

2026 Luminarts Jazz Improvisation Finals

Thursday, May 7th, 2026 at 6:00 PM

The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

2026 Luminarts Creative Writing Showcase

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM

The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

Use the links below to register for our 2025 events!

Luminarts Live: Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM at The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604
*Arrive early at 5:30pm for an art tour led by the ULCC Docents
Hosted by Becky and Rich Beem

Enjoy an intimate performance by vibraphonist and composer Thaddeus Tukes, 2015 Luminarts Jazz Fellow! Connect with other art and music lovers over a drink and see the fantastic talent of Luminarts artists!

We recommend parking in the paid parking lot directly south of the Union League Club at 318 S Federal St. Paid valet parking is also available, starting at $25,  if you pull up to the Federal St side of the Union League Club.

Past events:

Visual Arts Exhibition: Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 PM at The John David Mooney Foundation, 114 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

Enjoy a dynamic exhibition of finalists’ work, and celebrate the winners of the 2025 Luminarts Visual Arts Fellowship to be announced at the end of the event. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

Paid street parking is available but not guaranteed. There are multiple paid parking lots nearby. We recommend using Spothero or a similar app to find parking.

StoryStudio Emerging Writers Awards: Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM at The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

Join us to celebrate this year’s outstanding writers and enjoy short readings from StoryStudio Emerging Writers Award winners and Luminarts Creative Writing Fellows. The Emerging Writers Award recognizes and spotlights talented emerging writers singled out by their graduate programs or by Luminarts.This event is presented in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago and StoryStudio Chicago. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

We recommend parking in the paid parking lot directly south of the Union League Club at 318 S Federal St. Paid valet parking is also available, starting at $25,  if you pull up to the Federal St side of the Union League Club.

Classical Voice Finals: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM at The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

Take in an evening of operatic grandeur and virtuosic musicality, as outstanding classical vocalists compete for two unrestricted $15,000 awards. A panel of distinguished judges, including Associate Dean of the Chicago College of Performing Arts Shannon McGinnis, will preside over the auditions. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

This year’s Finalists:

Lucy Baker (mezzo-soprano)
Erik DeMario (tenor)
Katherine DeYoung (mezzo-soprano)
Christopher Humbert, Jr. (bass)
Sophia Maekawa (mezzo-soprano)
Virginia Mims (soprano)

We recommend parking in the paid parking lot directly south of the Union League Club at 318 S Federal St. Paid valet parking is also available, starting at $25,  if you pull up to the Federal St side of the Union League Club.

Jazz Improvisation Finals: Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM at The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

Enjoy an evening of jazz improvisation by this year’s finalists, accompanied by a trio of Luminarts Fellows, as they compete for unrestricted $10,000 Luminarts Jazz Fellowships. A distinguished panel of judges, including Chicago’s virtuoso vocalist and songwriter Dee Alexander, will decide the winners of this year’s awards. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

This year’s Finalists:

Dakarai Barclay (trumpet)
Jimmy Farace (saxophone)
Janelle Finton (trumpet)
Nicholas Olynciw (piano)
Alejandro Salazar (drums)
Eli Sullivan (alto saxophone)

We recommend parking in the paid parking lot directly south of the Union League Club at 318 S Federal St. Paid valet parking is also available, starting at $25,  if you pull up to the Federal St side of the Union League Club.

Classical Piano & Strings Finals: Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM at The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611

Enjoy the stunning musical selections from three finalists in classical piano and three in classical strings, as they audition for a distinguished panel of judges including acclaimed violinist and Luminarts Fellow Rachel Barton Pine. One outstanding musician in each category will be selected as Luminarts Fellows and receive unrestricted $10,000 awards. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

Valet will be available at The Arts Club for $16/car (cash or check only). You may also park in one of the paid lots or street parking surrounding The Arts Club.

ULCC Meet the Artist Reception – Cherry Tung: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM at The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

Join us at the Union League Club’s Third Floor Gallery for a solo exhibition of the work of Cherry Tung, 2023 Luminarts Fellow in Visual Arts sponsored by Freeman’s | Hindman Auctions. Kenny Reichert, 2022 Luminarts Jazz Fellow, will provide live guitar accompaniment. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

We recommend parking in the paid parking lot directly south of the Union League Club at 318 S Federal St. Paid valet parking is also available, starting at $25,  if you pull up to the Federal St side of the Union League Club.

Luminarts Live featuring the Kenny Reichert Quartet: Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 6:00 PM at The Union League Club of Chicago
*Hosted by Rebecca and Richard Beem

Check out our May 2025 newsletter, listing Luminarts Fellows’ events and accomplishments, at this link.

Check out our April 2025 newsletter, listing Luminarts Fellows’ events and accomplishments, at this link.

Check out our March 2025 newsletter, listing Luminarts Fellows’ events and accomplishments, at this link.

Check out our February 2025 newsletter, listing Luminarts Fellows’ events and accomplishments, at this link.

Please note that the deadline to submit a Luminarts Fellowship Application has been extended by ONE WEEK!

New deadline: January 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST.

More info here.

Check out our January 2025 newsletter, listing Luminarts Fellows’ events and accomplishments, at this link.

Check out our December 2024 newsletter, listing Luminarts Fellows’ events and accomplishments, and our Gift Guide for thoughtful inspiration tailored to the art enthusiasts in your life at this link.

Please join us for our summer and fall events to celebrate Luminarts artists and the Chicago artistic community!

TUESDAYS ON THE TERRACE – Tuesdays June 25 – August 27, 2024

Luminarts is a proud sponsor of the 25th season of MCA Chicago’s Tuesdays on the Terrace with free concerts highlighting artists from Chicago’s internationally renowned music community. Enjoy live music on the lawn, then head inside to catch the MCA’s summer exhibitions.

The season kicks off Tuesday, June 25, at 5:30 PM with Jorge Morataya.

Luminarts Fellow Alexis Lombre will close the season on Tuesday, August 27.

NEXT BEGINS NOW – Friday, October 18, 2024

Luminarts Cultural Foundation’s annual Next begins Now returns to The Arts Club of Chicago 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.

Click the link above to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and purchase tickets!

LUMINARTS LIVE – Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Join Luminarts Fellow Kenny Reichert and his band for a happy hour jazz concert in the cozy, intimate setting of the Union League Club of Chicago’s Cafe One.

RSVP here.

We hope you can join us at one of this season’s events! Click each link below to RSVP!

Jazz Finals

February 21 from 4:30-6 PM at the Union League Club of Chicago

Classical Piano and Strings Finals

March 7 from 5:30-7 PM at the Arts Club of Chicago

Classical Voice Finals

March 19 from 5-7 PM at the Union League Club of Chicago

Luminarts Live featuring Isaiah Collier

April 16 from 5:30-6:30 PM at the Union League Club of Chicago, Cafe ONE

Honorary Host: Lynne T. Rinkoski

Visual Arts Finals

April 25 from 5:30-7 PM at the John David Mooney Foundation

114 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL

All Luminarts Fellowship applications are now open!

Are you or someone you know an artist in visual arts, classical music, jazz improvisation, or creative writing? You could win $10,000-$15,000 and be named a Luminarts Fellow!

Jazz Improvisation

Deadline to Apply: February 2

Apply Here in Jazz Improvisation, Instrument or Voice

Classical Music

Deadline to Apply: February 9

Apply Here in Classical Voice, Piano, Strings, or Winds

Creative Writing

Deadline to Apply: February 15

Apply Here

Visual Arts

Deadline to Apply: March 1

Apply Here

Applicants must live within 150 miles of the Chicago Loop, be between the ages of 18-30, and be currently enrolled in, or have completed, a degree program, conservatory, or other professional artist development program.

Follow the links above for more information, or contact us at info@luminarts.org.