Material Works Art

Overview

Established in 2024, Material Works Art (MWA) is a privately backed, artist-run project platform and contemporary art collection based in Chicago, Illinois. MWA was founded to support visual artists, foster creative innovation, and expand opportunities for the development, recognition, and circulation of contemporary art. The platform maintains a growing private collection composed of works acquired through its grant awards, which is accessible to the public upon request.

Mission

Material Works Art aims to serve as a crucial resource for visual artists at all career stages by offering direct financial support, collection-building, and international exposure opportunities. Grounded in creating a sustainable ecosystem for meaningful artistic exchange, the platform seeks to empower creators to push the boundaries of their disciplines, advance their professional careers, and ensure ambitious contemporary artwork is recognized, documented, and celebrated.

Programs / Opportunities

• The Material Works Art Award: A recurring, unrestricted $2,500 USD cash award granted to selected visual artists in exchange for an original artwork that joins the Material Works Art contemporary collection.
• Collection Placement & Exposure: Inclusion of award-winning works in the permanent Material Works Art Collection in Chicago, along with artist features, published interviews, and digital exposure to curators, collectors, and the wider art public.

Target Community

• Contemporary Visual Artists: Emerging, mid-career, and established visual artists worldwide working in painting, photography, installation, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, experimental, and conceptual art (excluding music, writing/poetry, culinary arts, film, and time-based media).