For immediate release

Media contact: Teresa Silva, Executive and Artistic Director teresa[@]chicagoartistscoalition[.org] 312-491-8888 x 1005

Chicago Artists Coalition announces the Coney Family Fund will award $10,000 to Chicago visual artists who identify as Black or African-American 

• With the generous support of the Coney Family, CAC will award $10,000 to Chicago visual artists who identify as Black or African-American. Two awards at $5,000 each will go to two Chicago artists.

CHICAGO, IL. April 26, 2021 — CAC is proud to announce the Coney Family Fund will award $10,000 to Chicago visual artists who identify as Black or African-American. Two awards at $5,000 each will go to two Chicago artists in 2021. 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. 

PREVIOUS CONEY FAMILY FUND AWARDEES

• Brittney Leeanne Williams, 2020
• Shani Crowe, 2019
• Cecil McDonald Jr., 2018
• Rhonda Wheatley, 2017

Since 2017, CAC and the Coney Family have annually awarded one unrestricted grant of $5,000 to an outstanding visual artist in the city of Chicago who identifies as Black or African-American. Now in its fifth year, the prestigious and highly competitive Coney Family Fund will award two unrestricted grant of $5,000 each providing more direct support to Chicago artists.

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.

CAC will celebrate the two awardees for the Coney Family Fund during CAC's virtual benefit, WORK IN PROGRESS on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.  

Application for the Coney Family Fund Award program opens on April 26, 2021 and more information about the program can be found here. Please contact Aileen Cortez, Artist Grants and Exhibitions Manager with questions regarding the Coney Family Fund Award program or applications by email at aileen[@]chicagoartistscoalition[.org].

About the 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

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 3Arts and Chicago Artists Coalition.