Luminarts Cultural Foundation Fellowship
Applications for open. Fellowship Programs are listed below. For general questions about program eligibility please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Luminarts at info@luminarts.org or 312-435-5961.
Luminarts has recently made revisions to the application process for Project Grants. Please read the information below.
About the Project Grant Program
Luminarts Fellows are encouraged 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 both on the individual Fellow and on the community level in the Chicago area. Applying for a project grant is a competitive process and not all applicants are necessarily funded.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted in full by March 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM. Fellows will be notified on or before May 1, 2024 about the status of their application.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Applicants must be designated a Luminarts Fellow
- While applicants are not required to live in the Chicago area, they must be able to demonstrate how the funded opportunity will directly benefit Chicago
- Applicants may request funding up to $5,000. The request cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost/budget.
- All funding granted must be spent and accounted for within one (1) year from the date awarded.
- Fellows can receive Project Grant funding only one time per 12 month period. So, if you received a Project Grant on the October 15, 2023 deadline, you are not eligible for the March 15, 2024 deadline.
- Fellows can receive project grant support totaling up to $15,000 within 10 years of being named a Fellow.
- All Project Grant awardees will be required to submit a short written report and documentation (photos, videos, and/or testimonials from participants) within one year of signing their Grant Agreement. It is intended that Project Grants are fully carried out within one year from receiving funding.
Please note that meeting with Luminarts staff prior to submitting an application is not required. However, applicants are welcome to contact Alex Benjamin, Program Director, at alex@luminarts.org with any questions they may have.
General Guidelines
While these grants may be used for a broad array of career development opportunities and community impact projects, applicants must demonstrate how the funding will achieve the artist’s professional and community goals, and how the funded experience will in turn benefit the greater Chicago community.
Projects need not be fully “fleshed out” with complete timelines and confirmed venues, but it must be clear to the review panel that it will be possible for the applicant to complete the project within one year of receiving funding including. Projects are more likely to be funded when they exhibit: 1) other funding sources that are already confirmed or highly likely; 2) a well-thought-out timeline with dates/date ranges, equipment, personnel, and venues in mind or already confirmed, if applicable; 3) clear connection between the applicant’s goal for the project and the plan for execution.
The Luminarts Cultural Foundation has the expectation that all Fellows who are awarded project grant funding will highlight the Foundation's contribution through any marketing and/or PR materials that may be connected with the project. Fellows are also encouraged to consider how their project might be beneficial to other emerging artists and Fellows.
Please see application form for more specific guidelines on sections of the application.
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, or citizenship status.
Visual Arts Fellowship
Deadline to Apply: Friday, March 1, 2024
The Luminarts Visual Arts Exhibit is sponsored by the Holly Palmer Foundation
Luminarts Visual Arts Fellowships are $10,000 per artist. The Visual Arts Fellowship awards excellence in Visual Arts (i.e., drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, and moving images). Visual Arts finalists will receive a $300 honorable mention award. Please note that artists integrating a moving image/video into their work may apply and are welcome to submit short clips of the integrated pieces along with images of the overall installation. However, the Luminarts Visual Arts Fellowship program does not currently accept short films.
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, or citizenship status.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, March 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
***Please note that selection processes are subject to change.***
Eligibility and Guidelines
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
· Be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old on the date of applying
· Be currently enrolled in, or have completed, a degree program, conservatory, or other professional artist development program (not necessarily specific to the program for which you are applying)
· Live within 150 miles of the Chicago Loop.
· Be available to hang/setup artwork in downtown Chicago prior to Thursday, April 25, 2024. This is only required if you are selected as a finalist.
· Be available to attend the Visual Arts Exhibition Finals in downtown Chicago on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. CST. This is only required if you are selected as a finalist.
· Please note that the Luminarts Cultural Foundation is not responsible for finalists’ work while they are in our possession. Work is typically installed 1-3 days prior to the event and taken down the evening of the event or the following day.
While applicants may reapply to the Luminarts Fellowship annually, they are only eligible to receive the Fellowship award once. However, once an individual has been designated a Luminarts Fellow they are eligible to apply for Fellow Project Grants through the Foundation. For Project Grant information visit our Artist Opportunities page.
For questions about eligibility or more information about the Fellowship please visit our FAQs page or contact Luminarts at info@luminarts.org or (312) 435-5961.
Submission Guidelines
There are five (5) components that must be attached to your application:
· Three (3) images of your artwork;
· A career statement outlining what your career objectives are as an artist, how becoming a Luminarts Fellow would help support those objectives, and how you envision your art/career impacting the greater Chicago community;
· The name, contact information, and relationship to one (1) professional or educational reference;
· An artist statement; and
· CV/Resume.
Read below for specific details about each of these components.
Images of Your Artwork:
· Image resolution should be a minimum of 72 ppi;
· All image file sizes may not exceed 1 MB (video clip limit is 50 MB);
· File name should be the title of the piece; and
· Files and images may not include your name or other personal information.
All images submitted must be of artworks able to be installed in a shared gallery space within a limited period of time. Space will be provided on the application to include details about each attached work. Please include the title, date, medium for each work, dimensions in inches. Example: My Art, 2023, Inkjet print, acrylic, and oil on canvas, 20 x 30″
Career Statement:
Your career statement should outline what your career objectives are as an artist, how becoming a Luminarts Fellow would help support those objectives, and how you envision your art/career impacting the greater Chicago community. Your statement may not exceed 500 words in total.
Professional/Educational Reference:
Space will be provided on the application to include the name, contact information, and relationship to one (1) professional or educational reference. Note that references may not be contacted as part of this process.
Artist Statement:
Please provide a brief statement about your creative practice. Artist statement may not exceed 300 words.
Moving Image/Video Clip Guidelines:
Artists integrating a moving image/video into their work may apply and are welcome to submit short clips of the integrated pieces along with images of the overall installation. However, the Luminarts Visual Arts Fellowship Program does not currently accept short films. If submitting a moving image/video file:
· The file size may not exceed 50 MB;
· The video length may not exceed three (3) minutes;
· The file must be in mp4 format; and
· External links are not accepted.
Images and videos are reviewed by Luminarts jurors via Submittable. If a particular piece requires multiple angles or views then you may create one (1) image file with all views to be counted as one (1) submission/piece. Please exercise good judgment when submitting images and/or video. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us at info@luminarts.org for specific questions about file submission. Please note that if selected as a finalist you will be required to bring your own equipment for the installation.
After Submitting Your Application
Applicants will be notified via email by Tuesday, March 26, 2024 regarding whether or not they have been selected as a Luminarts Visual Arts finalist. Please do not contact the Foundation before March 26, 2024 regarding your status as a finalist. Fellowship awardees will be announced live on Thursday, April 25, 2024.