Chicago Artadia Awards for Visual Artists in Illinois

Artadia, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1999, provides financial support, exposure, and career development opportunities for contemporary visual artists. The Artadia Awards are unrestricted grants designed to support artists in their creative endeavors, allowing them the freedom to use the funds as they see fit. The organization operates in seven active partner cities, including Los Angeles, and prioritizes diversity and equity in its award selection process. Over 50% of its awardees are women, and over 40% are persons of color. The Artadia Awards process begins with an open-call application that is free to enter and available for one month in each participating city. Applicants must submit materials via Submittable, as applications are not accepted via email or other channels. A jury of three curators, including at least one local curator, reviews all submissions and selects six finalists. These finalists then participate in virtual studio visits with a second jury panel before three awardees are chosen to receive unrestricted grants of $15,000 each. Additionally, the Marciano Artadia Award provides $25,000 to one Los Angeles-based artist. Finalists who do not receive an award are compensated with honorariums for their time and effort. Awardees also gain access to the Artadia Network, which provides structured opportunities for networking, career advancement, and public recognition. The Artadia Artist Registry further enhances the visibility of awardees by offering them a dedicated webpage on the organization’s platform. Artadia-supported artists have gone on to feature in major exhibitions, such as the Whitney Biennial and Prospect.6 in New Orleans. In addition to its core program cities, Artadia also funds artists through specialized awards like the 21c Museum Hotels Award and the SEEN Award, which is specifically for women-identifying artists. Eligibility criteria for applicants include being a contemporary visual artist working in a recognized art context, such as museums, galleries, non-profits, or public art projects. Applicants must have resided and worked in an eligible city for at least two years prior to applying. They must not be enrolled in or planning to attend an art-related degree program, and they cannot be directly related to Artadia staff or board members. Prior award recipients who have received $10,000 or more from Artadia or The Art Council (its former name) are ineligible, though former finalists may reapply. Artists in long-term residencies may apply only in the city where they permanently reside and must be available for a 45-minute virtual studio visit if selected as a finalist. Applicants can submit digital images or time-based media as part of their applications. During the first review round, jurors assess these materials sequentially to determine six finalists. Finalists then undergo a second round of evaluation through virtual studio visits, where the final awardees are selected. For the 2025 cycle, applications for the Chicago Artadia Award will be open from February 1 to March 1. For additional details or accessibility support, applicants can contact Artadia via email at info@artadia.org or by phone at (212) 727-2233. The organization is headquartered at Soho Works, 55 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.