-Projects that are initiated by individual artists and collectives within the St. Louis region

-Projects that take place within 40 miles of Downtown St. Louis

-Projects that have a strong visual arts component and visual impact

-Projects organized and implemented by (but not limited to) visual artists, curators, writers, cultural organizers, collectives, collaboratives, or artist-run collectives

-Projects that are open and accessible to the public

-Projects that are innovative to the St. Louis area

-Demonstrate a commitment to community-building, education and/or experimentation

-Respond to contemporary issues of the moment with distinct new models or approaches to arts organizing

-Have a longstanding impact and visibility for visual arts in the region

-Prioritize expanding the conversation of arts and criticism within St. Louis, in context with the greater Contemporary Art World.

-New artist-driven organizations, institutions, collaborations and spaces for presenting and experiencing art and performance.

-Visual arts projects that prioritize engagement or collaboration with other cultural practitioners, community members, and organizations.

-Research projects that center a visual arts inquiry and have a public-facing component, such as a lecture or pedagogical program, attached.

-Socially-responsive projects such as alternative education projects, microcinemas, mutual aid initiatives and more, wherein visual art is the focal point or vehicle for engagement.

-Publications and online networks for distribution of artworks, arts writing, and information

-Public art projects such as murals, outdoor sculptures, or installations with a temporary or permanent physical presence

-Projects organized by existing incorporated businesses (includes LLCs, B Corps, state non-profits, 501(c)(3) organizations, and 501(c)(4) organizations), universities or schools (private, public, charter), religious institutions*

-Projects seeking to get support retroactively or seeking reimbursement

-Projects that are in support of one individual artist and their solo practice in their studio

-Projects without a public-facing component

*Please note: Artist-led projects can be located at otherwise excluded incorporated businesses (see above), but the project must be distinct and separate from that organization’s regular programming. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact the Futures Fund team in advance of applying.

March 10th: Application Opens

March 24: Info Session on-site at The Luminary

April 9th: Info Session 2 on Zoom

May 5th: Application Closes

End of May 2026: All applicants notified, 75% of funds disbursed to grantees

Mid June: Public announcement and celebration party

March 2027: Project review and reflection

Funded projects must commence between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027

The Luminary invites arts organizers, curators or artists (two local, one out of town), to serve on a review committee. This year’s panelists will be announced March 10th. Reflecting a range of valuable perspectives, these panelists will review all of the submitted materials and then convene to discuss the applications. The panelists will then develop a shortlist of projects of possible grantees and then The Luminary will extend final invitations to grantees.

We will award a total of up to $60,000 in grants between $2,500 and $8000 each. We expect to award approximately 10-12 grants with an average award of $5000. We strongly recommend asking for the realistic amount needed to fund the project and pay collaborators.

We prefer applications that have a strong concept, timeline, and list the people or organizations you might be working with. We are looking for projects that are clear and accomplishable on the timeline presented. All projects must be completed by the end of a calendar year (June 2026). We can accept projects that have already begun or are currently in process. We cannot accept already finished projects that are seeking reimbursement.

You can submit multiple applications only if they involve different collaborators or organizations.

Applications for the 2026-2027 funding cycle are due on May 5th, 2026, before 11:59 pm. We encourage you to submit your application early, as we will only be available to answer questions until 5 pm the day the application is due.

No, there is not an application fee to apply.

A check or direct deposit will be made out to the lead applicant, any number of collaborators, or a fiscal sponsor. Anyone who receives funds will be personally responsible for applicable taxes associated with the award. They will be required to fill out a contract and a Form W-9 and will be issued a 1099 to be filed with their annual tax return.

Yes, though this season’s regrants will focus on project-based funding, a percentage of the fees may go to support the everyday expenses of the organizers, including rent, fees, and administration in acknowledgement of the ongoing struggles that arts workers face.

No, but the artist/lead organizer must have a social security number in order to receive payment of the award. Additional collaborators and/or participants do not need to be U.S. citizens or have social security numbers. Please note the lead applicant must be a full-time St. Louis resident with an address located within 40 miles of the St. Louis city center.

Futures Fund is expressly interested in visual art including: public art projects/site specific installations, the publication of writing directly related to the visual arts including printed matter and online publications, artist residencies, film screenings, curatorial projects and exhibitions that highlight unconventional artistic practice, workshops, multimedia, video and photo projects.

Yes, so long as the equipment is necessary for the development of your project.

Yes, web-based projects are eligible (blogs, podcasts etc..), as long as the content is related to visual art.

Recipients will have 1 calendar year from the date of award notification to complete their projects or host the proposed public event.

Applicants can be the lead organizer on more than one proposal at any given time, though in this case, only one of their projects will be funded. Alternatively, applicants can be listed as additional collaborators on multiple proposals without affecting their eligibility on projects where they are designated as the lead artist.

Recipients will be required to make regular public progress updates to be posted by The Luminary at our discretion on our website, partner websites, social media and more. The frequency of updates will be determined in collaboration with the recipient and the Futures Fund team on a project-by-project basis. A final report detailing the outcomes of the project are due at the end of the granting cycle, and 25% of the award amount will be retained until a final report is submitted.