Create Iconic Portrait Honoring Chicago Urban League’s 2025 Golden Fellowship Dinner Honorees
The Chicago Urban League invites Chicago-based artists to submit proposals for a unique commission: the creation of a portrait artwork honoring one of our distinguished 2025 Golden Fellowship Dinner (GFD) honorees. Up to three artists may be selected for separate commissions. The final artwork will be unveiled and presented to the honorees at our Golden Fellowship Dinner on November 8, 2025.
The Chicago Urban League works to foster economic empowerment, cultivate leadership, and dismantle systemic barriers in the effort to drive lasting equity and prosperity for Black Chicago. Our signature fundraiser, the Golden Fellowship Dinner, is one of the most anticipated events of Chicago’s gala season. In 2024, more than 2,300 business, civic, and community leaders attended the event.
The selected artists will each receive a $1,500 stipend to complete their portrait. All two-dimensional visual art mediums are accepted, including painting, drawing, mixed media, digital illustration, and other two-dimensional works.
Project Details
- Commissioned Work: One original portrait of one of the 2025 honorees (selected artists will be given name of honoree upon selection)
- Medium: Open to all visual art mediums (painting, mixed media, digital, etc.)
- Size and Materials: Each artist will be responsible for their own supplies and will be expected to deliver a 24×30” portrait. The Chicago Urban League will be responsible for framing ahead of the event.
- Eligibility: Artists currently living and working in Chicagoland
- Stipend: $1,500 total for artwork and included supplies, packing, and transportation
- Benefits: Each artist will receive two free tickets ($1,500 value) to the 2025 Golden Fellowship Dinner, will be verbally recognized during portrait presentation, and will be recognized in the event program and on CUL’s social media and website.
Submission Guidelines
Interested artists must submit:
- Artist Bio and Statement with Photo (500 words max)
- Portfolio (3-5 examples of previous portrait work)
- Proposal (brief concept and approach for the commissioned works)
- Resume/CV
- Contact Information
To be eligible, artists must be at least 18 years of age and submissions must be received by May 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SUBMISSION FORM NOW
Selection Process
The selection committee will review all submissions and select one artist per honoree (3 artists total) to complete the portraits.
Key Selection Criteria:
- Artistic quality and originality
- Experience with portraiture
- Relevance to the spirit of the Golden Fellowship Dinner
Notification Date: The selected artist will be notified by June 6, 2025, and will have until October 20, 2025, to complete the commissioned work.
Project Timeline
2025 Open Call & Selection Process
🔹 May 1: Open Call posted
🔹 May 23: Submission deadline
🔹 May 24 – June 3: Review & selection by CUL Executive Team & GFD Host Committee
🔹 June 6: Artist notified & contract finalized
Artwork Creation & Completion
🔹 June – October: Artist creates three portraits
🔹 October 20: Final portraits due
- Drop off at CUL 10/20 by 5 p.m. with proper transport packaging (for CUL to transport for framing)
🔹 November 8: Portraits revealed at the Golden Fellowship Dinner
About the Golden Fellowship Dinner
The 64th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at McCormick Place, Skyline Ballroom. This is our signature fundraising gala, which raises critically needed dollars allowing the Chicago Urban League to continue its service to more than 15,000 Chicagoans annually. The Golden Fellowship Dinner is one of the most anticipated events of Chicago’s gala season, with 2,300 attendees in 2024.
About the Awards
Humanitarian Award, created in 2019, recognizes individuals whose work aligns with our mission of advancing racial and economic equity.
Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Individual Service Award. Named for lifetime CUL board member Lester H. McKeever, Jr., the award recognizes an individual who embodies excellence through service, has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the quality of life for Black residents of Chicago, and who encourages and inspires others to promote racial equity and social justice.
Edwin C. “Bill” Berry Award is the Chicago Urban League’s highest honor. Named for the civil rights trailblazer who led the Chicago Urban League from 1956-1969, this award recognizes an individual who has left a mark on the nation through hard work, perseverance, and creativity.
Past Awardees:
2024: Dr. Carol L. Adams, Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott
2023: Marc Morial, Don & Liz Thompson, Aleta Clark (Englewood Barbie)
2022: Dr. Helene Gayle, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Dr. Walter Massey
2021: Ben Crump, Brett J. Hart, Connie Lindsey
2020: Dr. Ngozi Ezike, George Wu
