About LunART
Who We Are
LunART is a Madison-based, award-winning non-profit organization with a mission to support, inspire, promote, and celebrate women in the arts through public performances, exhibitions, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaboration; thus enriching our community and creating a welcoming space for learning and experimentation.
The vision of the LunART Festival is to empower women in the arts by fostering originality, honoring diversity, and strengthening equality.
LunART seeks to be inclusive and we welcome participation by people who self-identify as women, cultivating a positive experience for artists and audiences alike. The driving idea of the festival is to create a vibrant, safe space for all women where creativity is the queen!
"The work you do is truly transformative."
Our History
Women have been historically underrepresented in the field of composition and works by contemporary women composers continue to be an unfortunate scarcity on most classical concert programs. According to a study of the top 21 ensembles in the United States, Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy learned that performances of works by women will account for only 10.5% of what audiences will hear in their 2023-24 seasons. At LunART, 100% of our programming is dedicated to women artists. We strive to close the gender gap by providing a platform for women artists to be recognized and celebrated!
Founded in 2018 by internationally renowned musician and entrepreneur Dr. Iva Ugrcic, LunART has grown from a three-day festival into a vibrant, year-round nonprofit. Our programming includes performances, exhibitions, workshops, educational initiatives, and collaborations, all focused on uplifting women in the arts. LunART’s impact has been recognized with the 2022 Silver Lining Award and the 2023 Programming Award from the International Alliance for Women in Music.
Our Impact
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Celebrated the work of 200+ women composers
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Engaged over 400+ artists across disciplines
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Reached 500+ youth participants
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Hosted 100+ public events
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Presented 50+ world and U.S. premieres
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Commissioned 20+ new works in music and visual art
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Welcomed 70+ women composers from around the globe to Madison
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Mentored and empowered 20+ emerging arts leaders now making a global impact
Our Initiatives
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Annual Festival – A week-long celebration of women artists worldwide
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LunART Chamber Music Collective (est. 2022) – A dynamic ensemble dedicated to music by women
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LunART Choir (est. 2025) – A treble choir championing works by women composers
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Composers Hub, Call for Scores, W.O.W. Blog, and Educational Programs – Platforms for discovery, mentorship, and innovation
Our programming spans visual arts, dance, poetry, theater, jazz, and more, offering audiences a rich tapestry of artistic expression. From chamber concerts and gender equity panels to multi-sensory performances, every LunART event creates space for creativity, connection, and community.
To date, LunART has featured women artists from around the world, embodying our motto:
Celebrating women in the arts:
from past to present,
revered to forgotten,
from rap to rhapsody.
