2026 Public Humanities Awards Exclusive Live Auction Experiences
Guests at the 2026 Public Humanities Awards have the opportunity to bid on these unique curated experiences that deliver culture, good food, great conversation, great art, and more.
The Bikeriders — "Scrambles Track, McHenry, Illinois"
Donated by: Danny Lyon | Value: $5,000
Description
Own a piece of Midwest photographic history from Danny Lyon, one of the most important American photographers of the last half century.
From 1963 to 1967, a young Danny Lyon rode with the Chicago Outlaws motorcycle club, immersing himself fully in their world to create The Bikeriders—a groundbreaking body of work described as "an attempt to record and glorify the life of the American bike rider." Scrambles Track, McHenry, Illinois is one of the earliest images Lyon made in the series, captured at a motorcycle scramble. Using a Rolleiflex loaned to him by legendary Art Institute of Chicago curator Hugh Edwards, Lyon leaned behind a snow fence to capture this now-classic landscape of riders emerging from the woods. The Bikeriders was first published in 1968 and has since been reissued three times, most recently inspiring the major 2023 feature film of the same name directed by Jeff Nichols.
This lot offers a signed archival silver print of Scrambles Track, McHenry, Illinois, printed in 2010 by Lyon's longtime friend and printer Chuck Kelton, under the artist's supervision.
The winner will also receive a copy of The Bikeriders, Lyon's landmark photobook, personally signed by the artist.
Lyon has long been considered one of America's most original and influential documentary photographers, pioneering an immersive "New Journalism" approach to image-making. He has been the subject of major exhibitions at institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
An Exclusive Experience at the Music Box Theatre
Behind the Red Velvet Curtain
Donated by: Music Box, Hoopla Communications | Value: $1,550
Description
Opened in 1929, the Music Box Theatre is one of the country's great surviving neighborhood movie palaces and a beloved Chicago cultural landmark. Independently owned and operated, the Music Box is a nationally celebrated destination for classic, independent, foreign, and cult cinema—and one of only a handful of theaters in the country equipped to present film in spectacular 70mm.
This one-of-a-kind package invites you and your guests behind the scenes for a private, experience at the Music Box.
Your experience includes:
- A private projection booth tour for up to 8 guests. Go behind the scenes with a Music Box projectionist and see firsthand the equipment that allows the theater to screen everything from archival 16mm and classic 35mm prints to large-format 70mm film and contemporary digital cinema. Projection booths are small, so keeping the group small allows for a more in-depth tour—bring all your pressing cinema questions!
- A private screening for up to 60 guests in the Music Box's intimate 60-seat screening room — the same room used by filmmakers to view dailies and by critics to preview new releases. Choose a film that has shaped you, challenged you, or simply brought you joy, and share it with the people who matter most to you.
- A special introduction from a Music Box programmer, setting the stage for your chosen film (subject to availability and film selection).
- A $250 Music Box concessions credit to enjoy popcorn, drinks, and snacks from the theater's concession stand before or during your screening.
- A one-year Dual Membership to the Music Box, an annual complimentary ticket, discounted tickets and concessions, free popcorn and soda refills, discounted Music Box beer and wine, invitations to member-only screenings, and discounts at Music Box partner restaurants.
- A custom Music Box merchandise goody bag—a curated set of one-of-a-kind Music Box swag (shirt sizes to be collected from winner).
This unforgettable experience celebrates film as both an art form and a communal experience, at one of Chicago's most treasured cultural institutions.
Terms & Conditions
- The winner will be connected with the Music Box's Special Events Manager to schedule their tour and screening. Available dates are provided at the discretion of the theater, based on the regular film schedule—typically offered in rolling batches starting about two months out.
- Private rentals are generally scheduled on weekdays before 3:00 PM, weekday evenings (with a separate daytime tour), or weekend mornings. Evening screenings are limited to a 2-hour runtime; daytime weekday screenings may accommodate longer films.
- Package must be redeemed within one (1) year of the event date, subject to availability and coordination with Music Box staff.
An Evening in Conversation: A Private Dinner with Amanda Williams & Gabrielle H. Lyon
Donated by: Amanda Williams, Gabrielle H. Lyon, The Revel Group | Value: priceless
Description
Gather eight guests for an extraordinary evening exploring the humanities, art, and Illinois' place in the American story—co-hosted by acclaimed artist and architect Amanda Williams and Illinois Humanities' Gabrielle H. Lyon.
Williams is one of the most influential voices working at the intersection of art, race, and public space, best known for her landmark Color(ed) Theory series and for Other Washingtons, her ongoing exploration of the many places across the country named for the nation's first president—and what those names reveal about American identity, memory, and power. A 2022 MacArthur "genius” grantee, Williams' work is held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Lyon has led Illinois Humanities since 2019, guiding the statewide organization's work to make history, heritage, and civic dialogue accessible in every corner of Illinois. A historian by training with a PhD in Education, she is the founding executive director of Project Exploration and author whose titles include No Small Plans and Washington By and By. Lyon was appointed by Governor Pritzker to chair the Illinois America 250 Commission leading the community-centered design of the statewide commemoration.
Your evening will feature a chef's five-course tasting menu with paired wines from Limelight—our 2026 Public Humanities Award catering partner—alongside a facilitated conversation led by Lyon with Williams as guest of honor. Together, they'll dig into the ideas behind Other Washingtons and how it connects to the broader storylines running through Illinois.
Don’t miss this chance to deepen your connection to the humanities and to the artists shaping how we understand our shared history, all in the comfort of your own home.
Terms & Conditions
- Reserve: $6,500
- Dinner will be served at the winner's private residence. Date and time must be mutually agreed upon with Limelight Catering and coordinated separately with the guest speaker's availability no sooner than January 2027.
- Not valid during the months of June or December.
- Must be redeemed by November 30, 2027
A Portugal Wine Discovery: Wine Tasting and Getaway for Two
Donated by: Erin Drain | Value: $4,500
Description
Discover the charm of ancient Porto—a city of enduring beauty, where winding cobblestone streets lead past colorful riverside facades and centuries of history unfold at every turn. Set along the Douro River, Porto is the birthplace of world-renowned Port wine, and this trip invites two travelers to experience it in full: intimate tastings, scenic vineyard valleys, vibrant cuisine, and the iconic bridges and azulejo-tiled architecture that make the city unforgettable.
This package includes five nights for two guests at a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Porto, along with a guided 3-hour walking wine tour, featuring tastings of Porto's renowned Port wines through the city's historic neighborhoods.
Your Portugal adventure begins before you even leave home, with a private pre-departure wine class and tasting for six to orient you in the wine and cuisine of Portugal, hosted by wine educator and sommelier Erin Drain. Gather your friends and take a sneak peek at the best of what Portugal has to offer: the class includes a curated package of Portuguese goodies, including olive oil, tinned fish, and tabletop items, to ground a taste of the trip before you depart. Portuguese pronunciation tips and tricks included!
Once in Portugal, you'll travel to the nearby Douro Valley for a complimentary wine tasting at Quinta dos Murças in Covelinhas—an unforgettable afternoon among the terraced vineyards that define this storied wine region.
Terms and Conditions
- Travel dates must be mutually agreed upon and are subject to availability.
For more information or questions, please contact Jessica Brown at development@ilhumanities.org.
Contact
Suite 650, 125 South Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312.422.5580 312.374.6787 Fax
Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
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Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations, or our funders.
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