The Visual Arts Competition awards five $5,000 grant awards and Luminarts Fellowships for excellence in visual arts (drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, moving image, etc.)

Applicants submit their images online for a preliminary blind juror panel. Finalists are selected for a second juror process that takes place in an exhibition at the Union League Club of Chicago. Finalists are asked to choose two pieces to exhibit during the exhibition. Following a private viewing throughout the day, the winners are selected by a final juror panel. Winners are announced in the evening during the Visual Arts Exhibition on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, hosted by Luminarts.

http://luminarts.org/visual-arts-opportunities
2015 Visual Arts Competition

The Visual Arts Competition awards five $5,000 grant awards.
Eligibility and Guidelines
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old on the date you apply
• Be currently enrolled in, or have previously graduated from, a degree program
• Live within 150 miles of the Union League Club of Chicago
• Be available to hang/setup your artwork at the Union League Club of Chicago on Monday, May 11, 2015 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (this is only required if you are selected as a finalist)
• Be available to attend the Visual Arts Exhibition and awards on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (this is only required if you are selected as a finalist)

**Applicants who advance to the final round of judging must be available to hang their work on Monday, May 12, 2015 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for final round judging at the Union League Club of Chicago, as well as attend the Visual Arts Exhibition on Tuesday, May 13, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the Union League Club of Chicago. If you are unable to meet these requirements you must contact Luminarts to request permission to send another individual on your behalf to hang any of your work, as well as attend the exhibition and/or accept any awards should you be selected as a winner or Fellow. Failure to do so will result in disqualification and a forfeit of any Luminarts awards. You must also receive confirmed approval from Luminarts prior to sending an individual to represent you.

Image and Video Submission Guidelines
All images submitted should be of pieces able to be installed in a shared gallery space within a limited period of time. Any hung piece should not exceed 72 inches in any direction.

Applicants may submit up to three (3) images of artwork with their application or one (1) moving image video, but not both. Space will be provided on the application to include the requested details about each piece (title, dimensions, medium, date, etc.) Applicants will also include an artist statement with their application. Failure to include the requested information about an image may result in disqualification.

If you are attaching images:
• Image resolution should be no less than 72 dpi
• Image file size should be no larger than 800 KB
• Must be either JPG and PNG formats
• If the image has a title save it as part of the file name, such as name_of_image.jpg or title_of_piece.jpg
• Remove your name on or within any submitted images or videos

If you are attaching a moving Image:
• Video files may be no larger than 25MB
• Video files must be no longer than three minutes in length.
• Must be either MP4, MOV, or MPG formats. Luminarts does not accept external links.

*Images and videos are initially viewed by Luminarts jurors via Submittable (PC/MAC, tablets, or other mobile devices). If you believe your image requires multiple angles or views you may create one image with all views. Please use best practices and judgement when submitting images. If your image or video has a title please save the file with the title somewhere within the file name before attaching the file; (for example, name_of_image.jpg or  title_of_piece.jpg).
After Submitting Your Application
Applicants will be notified via email on or before Wednesday, April 1, 2015 if they have been selected as a finalist. Finalists will select two of their pieces (one piece if it’s a moving image) to exhibit for the final round of judging and the Visual Arts Exhibition on Tuesday, May 13, 2015. Please do not contact the Foundation before April 1, 2015 regarding your status as a finalist.

While applicants may reapply to Luminarts programs annually, they are only eligible to receive the award once. However, once designated a Luminarts Fellow you are eligible to apply for a project grant through the Foundation. For Project Grant information visit our Artist Opportunities page.

For questions about program eligibility please visit our FAQs page or contact Luminarts at info@luminarts.orgor 312-435-5961

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, March 15, 2015 11:59 p.m. CST