Juried Artists are talented, socially conscious musicians and educators across genres, styles and generations. They work with MTL to build their entrepreneurial skills as change agents, mentor next generation talent, secure funding and promotional opportunities and collaborate on music-driven social change projects.

The LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award is a unique and impactful grant program developed to say we hear you!

Ten (10) LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awardees aged 18-24 year-olds are narrowed down and selected based on many factors, including the strength of their body of work, the breadth of their body of work, their artistic vision, and their articulation of their goals should they win the award. The ten selected artists are dedicated to their craft, their songwriting, and their vision for themselves through music.

This grant is designed to help nurture artists’ growth and progress, expand the social capital of the awardees, and help reduce any barriers, both external and internal, that may come between them and achieving their greatest artistic potential.

Lakeside Bank believes in the power of education. In 2018 we established the “Write On!” Creative Writing Challenge for Chicago Public High School Seniors the opportunity to win $2,500 College Scholarships.