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Alumni Catalyst Fund

A new initiative to support Steans alumni in bringing innovative projects to life

Program Overview

The Alumni Catalyst Fund supports Steans Institute musicians in advancing artistic visions from our community, engaging alumni of our summer fellowship programs to bring bold, innovative projects to life. Each season, this initiative funds and supports one selected project by providing financial and production resources, as well as performance opportunities, for original work that explores frontiers in classical and jazz music to captivate audiences.

The selected project will be developed and produced in partnership with the Steans Institute and premiered at Ravinia. The upcoming application cycle is for a premiere in 2027.

Applications and Eligibility

We’re seeking ambitious Steans Institute alumni ready to explore new artistic horizons.

To be eligible to apply, musicians must:

  • Be an alum of any Steans Institute program
  • Be a resident of the United States or eligible to apply for a visa to perform in the US
  • Propose a project that involves no more than six (6) total musicians or other artists in a performance no longer than 90 minutes
  • Incorporate jazz, chamber music, or classical voice as a foundation, but can embrace other genres or artistic disciplines

What Types of Projects Are Eligible?

The Catalyst Fund supports artistic innovation by Steans Institute alumni, providing resources to advance new or evolving creative work. However, the Catalyst Fund does not cover:

  • Recording projects
  • Presentation or tours of existing works, except to fund and support the expansion or transformation of an existing project
  • Administrative, staff, or (non-artistic) production roles

What Does the Selected Applicant Receive?

After selection for the Catalyst Fund, the Steans alum who applied will receive:

  • Project funding, managed through the Steans Institute, to cover commissioning costs, performer fees, travel, lodging, and production expenses
  • A week-long onsite creative residency at the Steans Institute to refine and develop the project
  • The world-premiere presentation of the project by the Ravinia Festival in 2027
  • Opportunities to further showcase the work at prominent national venues

Submitting an Application

Applications are managed online through Acceptd. To apply, please submit the following materials:

  • A project proposal with a clearly articulated concept (750 words maximum)
    • Proposal does not need to present the project as fully developed, but should provide a compelling artistic vision
  • A personal statement detailing your artistic goals and vision (350 words maximum)
  • Responses to application questions (150 words maximum)
  • A résumé, career biography, and video samples of your work

We encourage beginning the application early to familiarize yourself with Acceptd’s platform and requirements.

Apply Now!

Application Assessment

The Catalyst Fund’s selection process is designed to identify candidate projects with exceptional promise and a strong alignment with the program’s mission. Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Artistic Merit – Innovative and high-quality work that pushes boundaries in music
  • Clarity of Vision – Articulation of the purpose of the work and its impact on audiences
  • Collaborative Potential – Capacity to foster a dynamic exchange of creative ideas
  • Feasibility – Practicality of the proposed project to be completed and publicly presented during the funding program period

The Steans Institute’s panel carefully assesses each application in a fair and transparent process.

Key Dates for Applications

Don’t miss your chance to return to Ravinia and the Steans Institute to participate in this transformative experience! The key dates in the application process are:

  • Application Opens: November 15, 2025
  • Application Deadline: February 2, 2026
  • Notifications Sent: Early April 2026

We encourage beginning the application early to ensure you have ample time to prepare your materials.

Apply Now!

Questions?

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact us at institute@ravinia.org. We’re here to help and look forward to receiving your application!