Luminarts Fellowships

Luminarts Fellowship applications are now open. Click this link to access guidelines and to apply! Applications close on February 1, 2026. 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.

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. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ambassador Award

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

• 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

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. 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.