The Lake Effect Interactive Arts Fund is a new annual initiative, developed to fund interactive artists in Chicago. VGA Foundation will be offering grants ranging between $1000-2000 to selected applicants in order to facilitate the development of their proposed interactive work.

Grants are offered obligation-free, but participants are highly encouraged to deliver their work, for the betterment of Chicago art and the fund.

Applications will be open in late 2025, but potential grantees will be asked to fill out a concept document, outlining the project, their artistic goals, an estimated timeline, and the use of funds.

Projects may be in any stage of development, from concepts to released pieces wishing to expand their work.

Projects will be selected by a diverse group of Chicago artists and academics, judged on the quality of pitch and how the project fulfills three categories:

• Uniqueness — Why would this work be unlikely to receive mainstream funding, and contribute to the diversity of interactive art?

• Societal Impact — How does this project represent Chicago’s culture, history, or societal topics?

• Practicality — How does the Lake Effect Fund’s contributions provide a meaningful impact on the creation of this project?

Projects are not required to meet all goals, but applicants are encouraged to consider how their proposed work fulfills the fund’s mission.

Individuals and companies are encouraged to make tax-deductible contributions to the fund here.

Please contact info@vgagallery.org with any in-kind or resource-based contributions you may wish to offer to us or our artists. Also, support VGA Foundation via its print store!