For Immediate Release: 

Media contact: Aileen Cortez, ailee[at]chicagoartistscoalition[.org]

CAC Announces Coney Family Fund Awardees, $10,000 in unrestricted funds go to two outstanding artists

• Highly Competitive Award Recognizes Two Astounding Artists in Chicago
• $10,000 in Unrestricted Funds Given to Unyimeabasi Udoh and Lola Ayisha Ogbara

CHICAGO, IL. July 9, 2021 — Chicago Artists Coalition (CAC) announces the Coney Family Fund awardees Unyimeabasi Udoh and Lola Ayisha Ogbara, who will each receive $5,000 in unrestricted funds during the 2021-2022 grant cycle. The funds are intended to support outstanding Chicago visual artists who identify as Black or African-American.

This year's Coney Family Fund awardees were first celebrated during CAC's virtual benefit WORK IN PROGRESS on June 9, 2021. Celebrating its 47th anniversary this year, CAC has a strong recent history of supporting emerging Chicago-based visual artists through unrestricted grant funds and its artist and curatorial residency programs.

Artists continue to navigate obstacles brought on by the pandemic and the need for support remains high. The Coney Family Fund is committed to holding up exceptionally talented and driven Black artists by helping to sustain their studio practice and artistic career development through direct funding.

This grant is made possible by the generosity of our sponsor Chanel Coney. Launched in 2017, the award recognizes the Coney Family and Chicago Artists Coalition's mutual commitment to supporting a more inclusive arts community and creative economy in Chicago. Since 2017, the Coney Family and CAC have administered $30,000 in unrestricted funds to 6 artists in five years.

Thanks to the jury for their valuable time and input!

Veronica Nicole Stein & Sheridan Tucker Anderson

About the Coney Family

The Coney Family Fund Award is stewarded by Chanel Coney. Chanel is the Director of Marketing for Chicago Fundamental Investment Partners, LLC and the board chair of Congo Square Theater. Chanel has a personal background in theater performance, and past board member of Chicago Artists Coalition.

About Chicago Artists Coalition

Chicago Artists Coalition is a non-profit organization that supports contemporary Chicago artists and curators by offering residency programs, exhibitions, professional development and resources that enable them to live, work and thrive in the city. CAC is deeply committed to advancing the cause of art and its importance in Chicago’s culture and economy by cultivating a wide-reaching civic, philanthropic and public support network.

chicagoartistscoalition.org

For more information about the Coney Family Fund Award and its recipients, click here.