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Catalyst Fund

Catalyst Fund

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

Program Overview

The 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 2028 application cycle is now open.

See Application and Eligibility Info

Behind The Scenes: Mayrig

Applications and Eligibility

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

Apply Now!

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
  • A two-week artist retreat at the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Sarasota, FL
  • The world-premiere presentation of the project by the Ravinia Festival in 2028
  • Opportunities to further showcase the work at prominent national venues

Apply Now!

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.

Check the Key Dates section for the application deadline and more details.

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 2028 Season 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: October 9, 2026
  • Application Deadline: January 8, 2027
  • Notifications Sent: February 2027
  • Ravinia Workshop Period: Spring 2028
  • Project Premiere: Summer 2028

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

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!

Catalyst Fund Winners

2026 - Mayrig 

Co-created by cellist/composer and Steans alum Karen Ouzounian ('10\’11\’14)and pianist/composer Lembit Beecher, the chamber-music project Mayrig (“mother” in Armenian) weaves the voices of Ouzounian, her mother, and her grandmother through an intimate program of original arrangements and new compositions lifting themes of generational transmission, rootedness, and uprootedness. The expanded edition of Mayrig premiered at Ravinia Festival, featuring oud, viola, bass, and hand-drawn illustrations. 

2027 - Paulette's Liturgy 

Paulette’s Liturgy by Melissa Joseph ('23) is a deeply personal and universally resonant new song cycle for soprano voice, piano, harp, and violin. Conceived as a contemporary liturgy, the work transforms Melissa's experience accompanying her mother through cancer and five years of remission into a powerful exploration of doubt, pain, hope, and victory. The piece weaves together scriptural texts on healing with spoken and sung words of affirmation from the community, with text primarily in English and select phrases in Haitian Creole. Collaborative composer Jasmine Barnes, an Emmy Award-winner known for blending classical, jazz, and contemporary idioms, ensures the music possesses both technical integrity and emotional depth. This intimate, reflective work is a unique performance opportunity that invites audiences who have faced uncertainty or loss into a shared experience of vulnerability, connection, and renewed hope.