2026 Luminarts Jazz Improvisation Fellowship

Luminarts Jazz Improvisation Fellowship

The Luminarts Jazz Improvisation Fellowship awards $10,000 Fellowships to jazz musicians through the performance of original, creative, and spontaneously improvised jazz music. 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.

Jazz Improvisation Finalists 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 May 7, 2026, for the Jazz Improvisation Finals 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 excerpts from each of the 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.

Recordings that feature an accompanist are preferred. Recordings with play-along recordings are also acceptable. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge and respect for the melody, and accuracy of improvising chord changes. Ensemble recordings that include the applicant as a soloist may also be used but must be edited down to include only the applicant’s solo sections.

Applicants will submit three contrasting pieces:

-medium-tempo blues

-up-tempo standard tune

-ballad

*Each of these pieces should be in different keys.

*For the three contrasting pieces, different styles are encouraged. While the above tempos are recommended, something down tempo, something medium and something up, and one of them must be a blues, we understand that those tempos do not always apply for different arrangements. Contrast in style and tempo are recommended, but ultimately up to the applicant as to how they want to showcase their playing ability.

*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).

· YouTube link or file uploads are allowed.

· 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.

For the preliminary round, the below is recommended (not required):

-Trumpet, saxophone, and trombone players will perform with piano (or guitar), bass, and drums.

-Guitarists will perform with bass and drums.

-Pianists will perform with bass and drums.

-Bassists will perform with piano (or guitar) and drums.

-Drummers will perform with piano (or guitar) and bass.

-Vocalists will perform with piano (or guitar) and drums.

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.

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 April 20, 2026, as to whether they have been selected as a Luminarts Jazz Finalist.

The final audition is a live event from 6:00 - 8:00 PM CT on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at the Union League Club of Chicago. You must be available for the final audition at the time of your application.

What to Bring on the Final Audition

A jazz trio will be provided to accompany finalists. Do not bring your own accompanist.

-Finalists will be given a twelve (12) minute time slot

-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.

-A professional trio will be provided for the audition. Do not bring your own accompanist.

-Finalists must bring three (3) lead sheets for the trio

-Finalists will be judged on their knowledge of standard jazz practices, artistry, and execution. The melodies and chord changes should be memorized.

-Judges may not ask to hear all three of your selections.

Warm-Up Room Information

Warm-up space cannot be guaranteed, so please come to the final audition warmed up.