GRANT PROPOSALS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2026

Deadline was May 31, 2026

PURPOSE OF THE GRANT

To recognize and encourage creative thought and activity in the use of light. Cash award(s) will be granted to the person(s) who preserve and carry forth Richard Kelly’s ideals, enthusiasm and reverence for light.

ELIGIBILITY

Anyone 35 years or under, studying or working in the art and/or science of illumination, in the United States, Canada or Mexico.

CRITERIA

Applicant must demonstrate accomplishment as well as the potential to contribute to the art and science of illumination. Proposed, completed, and on-going work involving light may be submitted and should clearly illustrate the way in which the conceptual or applied use of light in new and innovative ways is used to solve or better understand a problem.

The Grant Committee will consider works using light in:
Architecture • Art • Education • Environmental Design • Health • Fixture Design • Software Design • Theater

Meet the 2025 Richard Kelly Grant Recipients

The IESNYC is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Richard Kelly Grant: Omar Gómez González and Bettymaya Foott. This prestigious grant honors emerging lighting designers whose work embodies the legacy of Richard Kelly—pioneering the art and science of architectural illumination while impacting communities beyond traditional boundaries.

Administered by IESNYC under the auspices of the Illuminating Engineering Society, the Richard Kelly Grant supports individuals aged 35 and under who are studying or working in the art or science of illumination in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. The grant recognizes creative innovation and meaningful contributions to the use of light, encouraging practitioners to push the boundaries of lighting design.

Celebrating Innovation, Advocacy, and Public Engagement

Bettymaya Foott is recognized for her dedication to protecting the night sky through advocacy, education, and design practice. As a lighting designer and astrophotographer, she focuses on responsible lighting while presenting her work nationally and internationally. Foott is pursuing a master’s degree in Architectural Lighting Design at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and continues her professional involvement in the United States through DarkSky International. Her work celebrates light as a medium of emotion and perception while prioritizing the protection of darkness.

“My work focuses on designing lighting that protects dark skies while respecting light as a material of emotion and perception,” Foott said. “It is an incredible honor to receive the Richard Kelly Grant and to continue developing these skills with the support of a grant that carries the legacy of one of lighting design’s most influential pioneers.”

Omar Gómez González, based in Oaxaca, Mexico, is celebrated for his multidisciplinary collaborations with architects, artists, and interior designers to create immersive public lighting experiences. His installations serve as tools for social transformation, sustainability, and collective identity, elevating the visibility of lighting design for broad audiences. González’s work demonstrates how light and darkness can shape perception, tell stories, and enrich community life.

“Light and darkness are integrative forces,” González said. “They shape shared attention, reveal invisible narratives, and expand human consciousness. My mission is to compose luminous experiences as tools for social transformation, sustainability, and collective identity.”

Carrying Forward Richard Kelly’s Legacy

The 2025 recipients reflect the enduring relevance of Richard Kelly’s principles: designing with creativity, environmental responsibility, and human experience in mind.
“Richard Kelly believed deeply in light as both a technical discipline and a human experience,” said Addison Kelly, representing the Richard Kelly Grant. “Omar and Bettymaya carry that legacy forward in meaningful and contemporary ways—through public engagement, environmental stewardship, and thoughtful understanding of light and darkness.