Make A Wave
Make a Wave is an artist-to-artist grant program that erases the traditional gatekeeper by inviting each of the previous year’s 3Arts Awards recipients to select another artist to receive a surprise award from 3Arts—in effect sending a wave through Chicago’s brilliant cultural core.
We extend special thanks to our 2023 Make a Wave Partner, the Siragusa Family Foundation. The 2023 Make a Wave Awards to artists were $2,000 each.
2023 Make a Wave Partner:
2023
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Anaiet
Music Performer Make a Wave AwardeeAnaiet Soul (she/they) is a 23-year-old emerging composer, pianist, guitarist, and vocalist from the South Side of Chicago. Anaiet is influenced by a myriad of musical backgrounds (including Jazz, RnB, Gospel, and Classical), textures, and sounds. She seeks to capture …
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Jonathan Emanuell Alsberry
Stager, Rehearsal Director, Producer, and Teacher Make a Wave AwardeeJonathan E. Alsberry (he/him), aka “Jojo,” is an educator, creator, and coach focused on inspiring excellence and joy with a constant dedication to the exploration of artistry and the creative process. Currently the Senior Rehearsal Director & Director of Summer …
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Jasmine A. Barber
Curator, Rapper, Host/Emcee, and Spiritual Practitioner/Tarot Reader Make a Wave AwardeeJasmine A Barber (she/her), also known as the rapper J Bambii, is an artist, educator, tarot reader, and cartoon-lover from the South Side of Chicago. She is the founder and creator of The Brown Skin Lady Show and the community healing …
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Rebel Betty
Cultural Producer, Educator, Organizer, and Multidisciplinary Artist Make a Wave AwardeeRebel Betty (she/her) is an Afro Indigenous Puerto Rican poet, multidisciplinary artist, and cultural worker based in Chicago. Rebel is using a multidisciplinary approach to depict the magic and movement of Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities and to trace back …
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Andrea Coleman
Visual Artist, Multidisciplinary Artist Make a Wave AwardeeAndrea Coleman (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, art administrator, and Creative Director based in Chicago who utilizes the mediums of paint, fabric, and personal archive throughout her practice. Heavily inspired by her suburban upbringing, animation art, and mural concepts, …
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Melissa DuPrey
Multidisciplinary Performance Artist Make a Wave AwardeeMelissa DuPrey (she/her) is an actor, comic, producer, musician, and playwright with roots from Humboldt Park, Chicago. She is a critically acclaimed solo artist whose self-produced work spans over a decade with five full-length solo plays (SEXomedy, SUSHI-frito …
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Stephanie Shum
Actor Make a Wave AwardeeStephanie Shum (she/her) is an actor and theater administrator based in Chicago with a deep love for developing new works. As an actor, she has performed and workshopped new plays with Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, American …
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Rhea the Second
Vocalist, Songwriter, and Producer Make a Wave AwardeeRhea the Second is an Alternative Pop and R&B recording artist, vocalist, songwriter and producer out of Chicago, Illinois. Her most recent achievements as an Independent artist working the reigns of the Chicago Music scene include singing background for Leon Bridges, opening …
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Lucy Vurusic Riner
Dance Artist, Choreographer, and Dance Educator Make a Wave AwardeeLucy (she/her) is a native Chicagoan who has been dancing, choreographing, and teaching in the Midwest for 28 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Education and Performance from Illinois State University. Lucy completed her Master’s Degree in Education …
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AiRos 頌恩 medill
Visual & Sonic Mover, Returning Ritual Round Make a Wave AwardeeAiRos 頌恩 medill (air/airs & they/them) is a yellow hapa nonbinary trans Taiwanese American circle keeper, care worker, storyteller, facilitator, bodyworker, dancer, and culture bearer who is moving to organize abundance in the ecology of home. AiRos practices with the …