Helping to Grow Creatives without limits

• Helping to Grow Creatives without limits •

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Be part of a future where fine art and creatives flourish

The Flourish Art Accelerator is a 12-month fellowship program supporting Chicago-based visual artists and curators at pivotal stages in their careers. Rooted in entrepreneurship and community, the program empowers visual artists and curators to preserve culture and identity. Through programming rooted in professional development, business strategy, and creative collaboration, Flourish helps artists build sustainable careers and expand their impact across Chicago’s creative economy.

Program Guide

Growing Creatives Through Direct Investment

Flourish-EXPO Chicago Fundrasier

We were thrilled to host over 200 attendees and spotlight the incredible talents of 4 artists. Due to your overwhelming generosity, we raised over $40,000. Your support will allow us to further our mission by nurturing creativity and innovation within the arts community by investing directly into creatives. Thank you to our sponsors, partners, and community.

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A diverse group of seven people standing together indoors, smiling and posing for the photo. They are dressed in a mix of formal and casual attire, with artwork visible on the walls behind them.

Two women smiling and standing behind a table decorated with glass and crystal vases, in a room with large windows and sheer curtains.

Woman with glasses smiling and holding a bottle of Empress 1908 elderflower gin in an indoor setting.

Two women smiling inside a bar or tasting event, standing behind bottles of Uncle Nearest whiskey and a tray of small tasting glasses, with a background window showing trees.

A woman with long dark hair and hoop earrings smiling and holding a bottle of Charles Woodson's Intercept wine at an art gallery or exhibition, with framed artwork and a TV screen in the background.

Group of people socializing and smiling at an indoor event, with a table displaying bottled water, glasses, and informational flyers.

Three people engaged in a conversation at an indoor event, with a woman in a pink blazer talking to a man and a woman, holding drinks, with art on the wall in the background.

Two men engaged in conversation at a wine tasting event, with bottles of wine displayed on a table in the foreground.

Two men in conversation at an indoor event, with several other people in the background, some wearing glasses and casual clothing.

Two women smiling and holding drinks at a social event indoors, with a table displaying an ice-filled container and various items.

People gathered at a social event or party in a large, modern indoor space with white walls and high ceilings, some seated at tables with floral centerpieces, others standing and talking.

Two women are hugging each other with big smiles in an indoor setting. One woman has light skin, blonde hair, and is wearing a black leather jacket. The other woman has dark skin, short hair, and is wearing a black outfit. People are visible in the b

A group of people smiling and talking in a casual setting, possibly at a social gathering or event.

People at a bar or lounge area with drinks and bottles, including a bartender pouring a drink, with a man in sunglasses and a black suit sitting at the bar.

A group of diverse people engaged in conversation at a social event, with a woman in the center listening intently, surrounded by others holding drinks and chatting.

A man and woman smiling at an event. The man is wearing a blue suit, and the woman is wearing a floral dress. Background shows a group of people and purple lighting.

Group of diverse people at an indoor event, smiling and posing for the photo, with a colorful tree-shaped artwork on the wall behind them.

Group of four diverse adults standing together at an indoor event, dressed in business casual attire, smiling at the camera, with a large colorful wall art piece resembling branches and leaves in the background.

A group of six women smiling and posing together at a social event, with a decor of a tree on the wall and purple lighting in the background.

A man and woman at a social event, holding glasses of red wine, smiling, with a colorful-lit wall behind them.

Two women at a social gathering, one in a white patterned sweater and the other in a colorful dress, holding drinks and smiling.

Two men in gray suits smiling and looking at a magazine or brochure on a white table, with a security camera mounted on the ceiling overhead.

A large group of diverse people gathered indoors for an event, listening to speakers. The room has modern design elements with ceiling lights and a large black-and-white photo of children on the wall.

A man with a beard, wearing a royal blue jacket with white accents and gold buttons, holding a microphone and smiling, standing in front of a row of empty chairs and a colorful artwork in a room with light-colored walls.

Three men sitting on high stools in a panel discussion or interview setting. The man in the middle is speaking into a microphone, wearing a dark denim jacket and sneakers. The man on the right has a gray beard, wearing a black cap and jacket, and the

Six men sitting on chairs in an art gallery or conference room with artwork on the white walls behind them. One man is speaking into a microphone, and another is holding a microphone. The men are dressed in a mix of casual and semi-formal attire, wit

Three men seated on stools in a gallery or art space, with posters of Asian women behind them. The man in the middle is speaking into a microphone, dressed in a black outfit with glasses. The man on the left wears a light blue suit and the man on the

Two people, a man and a woman, standing close together at a social gathering or event. The man is wearing a dark denim jacket and has curly hair. The woman is smiling, wearing a striped top, sunglasses on her head, and has her arm around the man. The

Group of five women and one man standing together at an indoor event, smiling for the camera. The background features a large black-and-white photograph of children playing outside.

Two men standing side by side at an indoor event, with one holding a glass of wine. The man on the left has dreadlocks, earrings, and is dressed in a patterned jacket over a dress with a green abstract design. The man on the right has a beard, a cap,

Two men stand together at an indoor event, dressed in formal attire, with a purple-lit ceiling and other guests visible in the background.

Group of people singing and playing musical instruments at an indoor event, with some people holding microphones and others playing drums.

A woman dancing in a white top and red skirt at a social gathering, with a crowd of people watching, some taking photos, and a musician playing drums on the left. The background features a black and white photo of children.

Six people standing together indoors in front of a decorated wall with a large tree motif. They are smiling and dressed in colorful, patterned dresses and suits.

A display table featuring bottles of Uncle nearest whiskey, a vase of orange tulips, informational flyers, and tasting glasses with ice, at an event promoting Uncle nearest whiskey.

A woman with long blonde hair, glasses, and a smartwatch standing behind a table with bottles and glasses of red and purple drinks, at a product tasting or promotional event, with a banner advertising Milestone Empress Gin in the background.

A smiling woman with short black hair wearing a red one-shoulder dress with feathered hem, large earrings, and red nail polish, standing in a modern room with white chairs and a vase of pink flowers.

Three people engaged in conversation at an indoor event. The man on the left is wearing glasses and a light blue blazer over a pink shirt. The man in the middle is holding a drink, wearing a black Varsity jacket with a large 'W' on it, and has a gold

A group of five diverse women standing close together at an indoor event, smiling at the camera, wearing colorful dresses with various patterns.

Three women standing together and smiling indoors. One woman on the left wears a colorful patterned shirt, the middle woman wears a white top with a necklace, and the woman on the right wears glasses and a white dress with red accessories.

Group of five people, four women and one man, posing at an indoor event. The man in the center wears a black suit, and the women are dressed in colorful and patterned clothing, smiling for the camera.

Two people dancing and smiling at a social event, with a man in a dark suit with a floral pattern and an older woman in a red jacket and glasses, embraced in a dance.

Flourish programs

Fellowship

The Flourish Fellowship is a competitive, yearlong program that supports emerging BIPOC artists and curators through professional training, mentorship, and funding. Fellows gain access to strategic resources, public platforms, and a growing network of arts leaders committed to equity and representation in the cultural sector.

Learn More
Development Program

The Flourish Development Program provides business training and coaching for early to emerging BIPOC artists and curators, focusing on branding, contracts, finance, and media—while also fostering community through peer connection, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities.

Learn more
Partnership Program

The Flourish Fellowship Partnership Program connects businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations with our network of BIPOC artists and curators for projects such as public art, consulting, and cultural programming. This initiative creates meaningful opportunities for creatives to generate income while offering partners access to high-quality, equity-driven art services that enrich their communities.

Coming Soon

A person with curly hair and light skin, wearing a beige long-sleeve top and white shorts, crouching on a wooden floor, drawing or tracing on a large white sheet of paper with a black marker, in a room with large windows and artwork in the background.

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FLOURISH is a non-profit organization. All contributions to FLOURISH are tax-deductible.

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Smiling African American couple in matching beige satin outfits with floral accents, standing against a light background with a floral design.

Smiling African American man and woman standing side by side against a white background with floral decorations. The man is wearing a peach-colored satin shirt with a white collar, and the woman is wearing a matching satin outfit with large hoop earrings. Both are smiling happily.

Contact US

Accomplishing our mission requires a collective effort. Connect with us on social media and share any inquiries or ideas you may have regarding Flourish. Whether you're interested in volunteering, making a donation, or seeking knowledge, we value your participation and are ready to hear and respond.

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Please follow our founders’ journey to learn more about fine art created by people of color and the insights it provides into culture and identity