Charles Diddia Fine Arts Scholarship

Bethany Union Church of Chicago in the southside Beverly neighborhood is offering a

$500 fine arts scholarship in memory of our beloved member, Charles “Chuck” Diddia.

Bethany Union is building a thriving, vibrant community empowering all to share their gifts to create meaningful connections and lasting impact. One of the ways Bethany Union Church is focusing on outreach is to welcome those who would like to share their talent in

a church setting: singing, visual art, writing & oral presentation and more

This unique scholarship opportunity is open to artists of all kinds: musicians, singers, visual or graphic artists, etc. Applicants send a short self-taped presentation to the church and a short explanation of how they are using their gifts. Finalists will be invited to present their art at a Sunday morning service at Bethany Union.

The scholarship was formed to honor Chuck

Diddia, who embodied the values and the vision of Bethany Union Church. He was the church. He was the first to greet you at the door and offer a firm handshake. Chuck connected people, touching so many lives in big and small ways.

Supporting artists was just one of the ways he showed up for others. He loved the music at

Bethany Union, often enthusiastically throwing his arms up in the air after a song he particularly liked. Chuck attended choir members’ performances outside of church and even went out of his way to drive his granddaughter to voice lessons for years.

One way Bethany Union is honoring Chuck is by continuing his legacy of support through welcoming artists into the church, cheering them on, and offering a supportive community.

Scholarship Details-

Who can apply: The fine arts scholarship is open to all ages. Talent of all kinds can apply:

music, visual arts, graphic art, and more. Preference may be given to those who live in the

vicinity of the Bethany Union Church, the Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood, and the

surrounding area.

How to apply: Send a self-taped performance of a full song or a 3-5 minute presentation of your art that is appropriate for the church. Self-tapes should include a short, spoken introduction of who you are and how you use your art. Please also include a short, written biography.

What happens next: Finalists for the scholarship will be contacted to schedule when they can come to a Sunday morning service at Bethany Union Church and perform or present their art. Each finalist who performs will receive a guest artist stipend. At the end of the year, one finalist will be chosen for the $500 scholarship.

For more information about the scholarship, email Scholarship@BethanyUnion.com

More about Bethany Union:

“At the historic Bethany Union Church, we envision a vibrant and inclusive community where

compassion thrives as a way of life. We seek to be a beacon of hope and love in Chicago,

inspiring individuals and families to embrace the transformative power of empathy and service. Our vision is to cultivate a caring environment that nurtures spiritual growth, fosters meaningful connections, and actively reaches out to those in need. By embodying the teachings of Christ, we aspire to create a lasting impact in our neighborhoods and beyond, empowering all to share their gifts and contribute to a more compassionate world. Together, we will build bridges of understanding, promote justice, and celebrate diversity as we work toward a future where every person feels valued, loved, and supported on their journey of faith.”

Bethany Union Church of Chicago is located at 1750 W. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60643.