2026 Luminarts Creative Writing Fellowship

Luminarts Creative Writing Fellowship

Luminarts Creative Writing Fellowship awards are $10,000 each and are awarded in two categories: poetry and prose (fiction and non-fiction). 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.

Selected 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

You must be able to answer “yes” to all of the following criteria in order to win the Creative Writing Fellowship. If you are not available for the date below, you will not be considered for the Fellowship.

-I am available the evening of May 21, 2026, for the Luminarts Creative Writing Showcase 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:

-A written piece(s) of your work, five (5) pages maximum length, single-spaced (excerpts of larger work are also allowed, but limited to five (5) pages);

-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.

-Poetry applicants will be given the option to upload an audio file reading their work aloud. This is optional, in addition to submitting your work in writing–which is required.
 

Read below for specific details about each of these components.
 

Writing Submission(s)

You will have space to upload up to five (5) document files. Together, these separate submissions must total no more than five (5) pages. Submissions greater than five (5) pages will not be considered.
 

All work is welcome. Luminarts encourages applicants to submit work that embraces exploration and risk-taking.

Guidelines:

· Submit your writing in either poetry or prose. You must select one category, and all work submitted must fit under that category. Therefore, your submission will be all poetry or all prose. (Prose poetry should be categorized as poetry.)

· Your submission can be one piece no longer than five (5) pages; an excerpt no longer than five (5) pages from a longer work; or multiple pieces/excerpts which together are no longer than five (5) pages. You will have space to upload up to five (5) files. Submissions greater than five (5) pages will not be considered.

· Each document should be single-spaced, using 12 pt. type, in a standard academic font (i.e., Times New Roman, Cambria, Georgia, Arial, or Calibri).

· Please submit your piece in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx)

· The .doc file name should be the title of the piece (example: "Catcher in the Rye.doc")

· Remove your name from all pages

· Write the title of your piece in the top left header of each page.

· Below the title indicate if the piece is poetry or prose (fiction or nonfiction as well, if prose)

· If your written piece is an excerpt of a larger body of work such as a novel or short story, space will be provided for you to attach the full piece in addition to the excerpt.

· If your piece is an excerpt, please indicate "excerpt" (you will also attach the full-length piece using the same guidelines, indicating "full piece").

· Edit the entire document for grammatical, spelling, or other unintended errors.

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

Applicants will be notified via email by or before May 4, 2026 regarding whether or not they have been selected as a Fellowship winner. If you are selected as a winner, you must be available on the evening of Thursday, May 21, 2026 for the Luminarts Creative Writing Showcase at the Union League Club of Chicago. If you are not available, you are not eligible to receive the award.