2026 Luminarts Classical Strings Fellowship
Ends on
Luminarts Classical Strings Fellowship
The Luminarts Classical Strings Fellowship awards a $10,000 unrestricted Fellowship to one classical string player per year. Luminarts Fellows are eligible to apply for additional project funding and professional development opportunities for 10 years after winning the Fellowship. Applicants may reapply to the Luminarts Fellowship annually, but they are only eligible to receive the Fellowship award once.
Classical Strings Finalists will receive a $300 Honorable Mention Award.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, you must be able to answer “yes” to all 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
-I am legally able to receive taxable income in the United States (i.e., I have a social security number)
Finalist Requirements
If you are selected as a finalist, you must be able to answer “yes” to all of the following criteria to move forward in the Fellowship process. If you are not available for the final audition, you will not be considered for the Fellowship.
-I am available the evening of April 9, 2026, for the final Classical Strings Audition at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604.
For questions about eligibility or more information about the Fellowship, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Program Director Alex Benjamin at info@luminarts.org or (312) 435-5961.
Submission Guidelines
There are four (4) components that must be attached to your application:
· Video recordings which will be reviewed by a panel of jurors;
· A short artist 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 Chicago region;
· The name, contact information, and relationship to one (1) professional or educational reference; and
· CV/Resume.
Read below for specific details about each of these components.
Video Recordings
Applicants must attach video recordings of each of the three repertoire categories listed below. You may record a video using a mobile device or other recording equipment, or submit professional recordings from performances. Your recordings will be used for judging purposes. You may submit one recording of all three requirements, or split requirements up into separate files. The total length of the recordings must be no longer than 20 minutes.
-The applicants’ hands must be visible in relative close-up to best showcase the applicant’s artistry and skill.
-Some of the repertoire requirements are longer than 20 minutes. Use your best judgment on which portions of the requirements to submit.
-File name should be the title of the piece if samples are broken up into separate videos.
-File names and videos may not include your name or other personal information.
-Please provide the highest quality recordings possible and note a variety of selections within the guidelines is preferred.
-All submissions must be unedited except for purposes of shortening the submission or cutting separate selections together.
-Please save all recordings and videos in the event we need you to resubmit any of the materials.
Artist Statement
Your artist 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 Chicago region. (250-500 words)
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.
Repertoire Requirements
Please submit your repertoire list in the designated field on the application. Please list the pieces in the order they are submitted in the video section.
Repertoire (recommended to play with an accompanist)
· One (1) concerto from memory
· One (1) sonata with piano (memory not required)
· One (1) other piece approximately 12-15 minutes in length (not a movement from a larger piece - memory not required)
*One of these selections must be contemporary (1945 - Present).
*Applicants are required to include at least one piece written by a composer with a historically underrepresented identity (including but not limited to a BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and/or woman composer).
*To best showcase your talent, jurors recommend you work with your accompanist to cut any music where the accompanist is playing for a long period of time.
After Submitting Your Application
You will receive a confirmation email immediately after successfully submitting your application. If you do not receive a confirmation email please check your spam/junk filter settings. If you still have not received confirmation after submitting your application, please contact Program Director Alex Benjamin at info@luminarts.org.
Applicants will be notified by or before March 23, 2026 as to whether they have been selected as a finalist.
The final audition is a live event from 6:00 - 8:00 PM CT on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the Union League Club of Chicago. You must be available for the final audition at the time of your application. String finalists must bring an accompanist with them to the final audition.
What to Bring to the Final Audition
String finalists must bring an accompanist with them to the final audition.
Finalists will be asked to select repertoire for the final audition. At a minimum, you must include at least one piece from each of the repertoire categories above. We encourage you to personalize your repertoire selection to best represent your skill and artistry.
Bring three (3) copies of a list of your repertoire to the audition, as well as three (3) copies of your sheet music. Jurors will request selections based on your repertoire list. Be prepared to perform any selections listed on your repertoire list. Audition slots are twelve (12) minutes per finalist; therefore, jurors will not request every selection be performed. If a selected piece does not have accompaniment, perform the piece as the composer intended it to be performed.
Please note: there will not be a warm-up space provided for the finals, so please come warmed up!