Fall 2024 Project Grants
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Luminarts has recently made revisions to the application process for Project Grants. Please read the information below in its entirety.
About the Project Grant Program
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.
Mission
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.
The mission of Luminarts Project Grants is to support a broad and diverse scope of creative work that develops Luminarts Fellows’ craft and careers, while also benefiting the Chicago region.
The Project Grant Program’s goals include:
● To grant funds that help realize artists’ evolving vision and meet their individualized needs.
● To address gaps in local funding for early career artists who may lack institutional recognition.
● To support a diverse group of artists reflective of the city of Chicago and its cultural landscape.
Deadline
Applications will be available on September 1, 2024, and must be submitted in full by October 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM CT. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Timeline
September 1, 2024: Grant applications will be available on the Luminarts website and Submittable.
October 15, 2024: Grant applications must be submitted in full via Submittable by 11:59 PM CT.
December 1, 2024: Fellows will be notified of the status of their application via email.
December 15, 2024: Luminarts will send a grant agreement to awarded grantees for signature.
January 15, 2025: Payments will be disbursed to awarded grantees pending successful completion of grant agreement.
September 2025: Grant report questions will be made available to awarded grantees.
January 15, 2026: Grant reports due in full by awarded grantees.
Eligibility and Requirements
1. Applicants must be Luminarts Fellows awarded in 2014 or after.
2. While applicants are not required to live in the Chicago region, they must be able to demonstrate how the funded opportunity will directly benefit the Chicago region.
2a. Benefit is defined as 1) involving Chicago artists, technicians, and/or other cultural workers in compensated, credited roles; 2) making the project available for Chicagoans to experience via public showings, performances, online distribution, etc; and/or 3) featuring Chicago in the themes or content of the project.
3. Luminarts grant awards are subject to all applicable taxes, fees, and other withholdings as required by awardees’ state/country of residence.
4. Applicants may request funding up to $5,000 per grant cycle. The request cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost/budget.
5. All funding granted must be spent and accounted for by January 15, 2026.
6. Project must be completed and reported on by January 15, 2026.
6a. Please note that special cases arise in which projects are delayed or altered, and an extension may be granted if requested in writing to Alex Benjamin, Program Director, at alex@luminarts.org.
7. Fellows can receive Project Grant funding only one time per 12 month period. So, if you received a Project Grant on the March 15, 2024 deadline, you are not eligible for the October 15, 2024 deadline.
8. Fellows can receive project grant support totaling up to $15,000 within 10 years of being named a Fellow. After $15,000 or 10 years, whichever comes first, you are no longer eligible for Luminarts project grant funding.
9. Project discussion with Luminarts staff is not required prior to submitting an application, but is encouraged. Contact Alex Benjamin, Program Director, at alex@luminarts.org with questions.
General Guidelines
1. While these grants may be used for a broad array of artistic projects, applicants must demonstrate how the funding will achieve the artist’s professional and personal goals, and how the funded project will in turn benefit the Chicago region (see Eligibility #2a).
2. 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.
3. Projects are more likely to be funded when they exhibit:
-other funding sources that are already confirmed or highly likely;
-a well-thought-out timeline with dates/date ranges, equipment, realistic cost estimates, personnel, and venues in mind or already confirmed, if applicable;
-clear connection between the applicant’s goal(s) for the project and the plan for execution.
4. All awarded grantees must mention the Luminarts Cultural Foundation's contribution in marketing and/or PR materials.
5. Fellows are encouraged to consider how their project might be beneficial to other emerging artists and Fellows.
6. Project grants are for projects rather than solely for equipment or instrument purchases. Applications for equipment or instrument purchases will be considered if situated within a larger project with professional/personal goal(s) that will benefit the Chicago region.
7. 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.
Review Process
1. Eligibility Screening
Luminarts staff will screen applications for eligibility and pass eligible applications on to the review panel.
2. Panel Review
Applications that meet eligibility requirements will be reviewed by a panel charged with reviewing eligible proposals, discussing projects’ merit and feasibility, making comments, and assigning numerical scores using the rubric (attached).
3. Funding Recommendations
The review panel makes funding recommendations to Luminarts staff. The staff’s role is to facilitate all steps of the review process, and aid the panel in finding consensus.
Scoring Rubric
1. Project Feasibility (25%)
-Is the project feasible within the granting timeline?
-Is the budget realistic?
-Is the timeline realistic?
-Is the application complete and understandable, providing an adequate idea of the project as a whole as well as its component parts?
2. Impact on Applicant (25%)
-Will the project help the applicant towards professional and personal goals?
3. Impact on Community (25%)
-Will the project benefit the Chicago region?
-Benefit is defined as 1) involving Chicago artists, technicians, and/or other cultural workers in compensated, credited roles; 2) making the project available for Chicagoans to experience via public showings, performances, online distribution, etc; and/or 3) featuring Chicago in the themes or content of the project.
4. Artistic Merit (25%)
-Is the project clear and compelling?
-Was it easy to understand the goals and benefits of the project?
-Does the project, along with applicant’s other work, bring fresh perspective to artistic concepts or societal issues?