Luminarts Project Grants

Luminarts Project Grants is a grant from Luminarts Cultural Foundation that funds exemplary emerging artists in Chicago, supporting the city's vibrant and sustainable cultural infrastructure. Founded in 1949 and deeply rooted in the Union League Club of Chicago, Luminarts identifies and invests in artists across disciplines to amplify their voices and careers.

Eligible applicants are early-career artists residing in the Chicago area who demonstrate exceptional artistic talent and potential. Specific award amounts, disciplines supported, and application deadlines are announced on an annual basis through the foundation's grant portal.

Luminarts | Cultural Foundation Operations & Marketing Manager Mario Santiago, First Vice President Becky Beem, Second Vice President Bruce Williams, Secretary Gretchen Burch, Immediate Past President Michael Goode, Legal Counselor Luminarts Cultural Foundation Union League Club‎ 65 W Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL 60604 phone: 312. 435. 5961 email: info@luminarts.

org Luminarts Cultural Foundation identifies, amplifies and invests in exemplary emerging artists, to ensure that Chicago has a vibrant and sustainable cultural infrastructure. Founded in 1949 as the Union League Civic & Arts Foundation (CAF), Luminarts Cultural Foundation was created by members of the Union League Club of Chicago as a separate, not-for-profit organization.

Deeply rooted in the Union League Club of Chicago, Luminarts strengthens the cultural community of Chicago by upholding the club’s century-long tradition of advocating for the arts.

Luminarts is dedicated to encouraging our city’s outstanding young artists so that their emerging talent might be heard in performance halls, read within libraries and homes, and exhibited in galleries, museums, and the hallowed walls of the Union League Club. 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.

Note: you must first be awarded a Luminarts Fellowship in order to be eligible for a project grant. Project Grant applications are now open! Click here to apply by March 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST.

For questions about project grants click below or contact us at info@luminarts. org or call (312) 435-5961. Frequently Asked Questions We are not currently accepting applications for the Ambassador Award.

Luminarts Fellows are eligible to apply for $2,500 awards in support of being ambassadors for the Luminarts Cultural Foundation beyond the Chicago region.

The Luminarts Cultural Foundation will accept funding proposals from Luminarts Fellows who have significant projects (performances, exhibitions, readings, etc.) in major markets outside of the Chicago area whereby they will highlight the Luminarts Cultural Foundation’s support in tandem with their outstanding talent.

While the available funds should be of benefit to the Luminarts Fellow, a primary goal of this funding is to raise awareness of the Luminarts Cultural Foundation outside of the Chicago region.

In accordance with this, awards will be distributed based on the following criteria: Location of the Luminarts Fellow’s project Anticipated number in attendance at event Anticipated marketing/media for the event Luminarts prominence in event materials Luminarts prominence in promotion and media Luminarts Fellows are invited, on a revolving basis, to the residency program at Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, IL.

Each residency includes an optional studio visit, meals and lodging, and unscheduled time to work on projects which residents may not otherwise have the time or resources to complete. Programming is paired with the opportunity to be in community with other Luminarts Fellows, and to connect with professional artists, staff members, and supporters.

Non Discriminatory Statement and Commitment to Equity Luminarts welcomes talented young artists of all social, economic and cultural backgrounds. As a young visual artist, musician, vocalist, or writer from the Chicago area, we invite and encourage you to compete for grants, creative opportunities, and to become Luminarts Fellows.

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, disability, or citizenship status. Luminarts works directly with artists, jurors, and attendees to make accommodations as needed and holds events at various spaces which are accessible.

To request accommodations for Luminarts’ programs or events, please contact Luminarts at info@luminarts. org. Introducing the Chicago area’s most talented, emerging young artists.

Join us in celebrating their exceptional creativity and work. Save the Date for Illuminate 2026 Friday, October 16th, 2026 at 6:00 PM* at The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604 Join us on October 16th at 6:00 PM for a dazzling evening, celebrating the achievements of our impressive cohort of artistic fellows. *More details coming soon!

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