Late artist Oliver Tree’s estate has launched a charitable foundation that offers award grants to support artists and their “creative art projects.”
The foundation is called Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Art Grant for Baby Geniuses, and its purpose is to provide grants that have to be used for either making or producing art.
According to the website, the foundation’s mission stems directly from Tree’s beliefs.
“Oliver believed the most valuable way for artists to master their craft was not through studying, but by physically getting their hands dirty and creating things. The foundation provides grants to artists working in music, film, installation, and performance art,” the website reads.
The projects that the foundation supports “should reflect the spirit of the work Oliver Tree created in collaboration with the foundation’s board members during his lifetime.”
Every year, Tree’s foundation boards will review submissions and vote on who the funding should be given to. The board can choose to support one large project or three to five smaller projects, depending on funds. The goal is for it to last for 50 to 100 years.
The grants that the foundation gives have to be “used for the production and creation of art. Equipment, gear, and tools may be rented for a project. Grant money may not be used to purchase them.”
You can donate to the foundation on its website, where your contribution will go directly to funding the art of creators that it supports.
How to apply, requirements, submission dates, and other details will be announced soon, per the foundation’s website.
Tree’s foundation is the realization of an announcement he made before his death earlier this month in a helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During an interview with the Zach Sang Show in April, Tree explained what he planned to do with his earnings after he passed away.
“When I die, all the money is going to go back to artists. So I set up a foundation, it’s called ‘Dr. Oliver Tree’s Art Grants for Baby Geniuses.’ Hopefully it’ll last for 100 years,” Tree said. “You’re not allowed to buy equipment with the money, you’re not allowed to get education or go to school with the money, but you’re allowed to physically hire people to help produce stuff, you’re allowed to rent gear and equipment.”
After his death, Tree’s ex-girlfriend, Melanie Martinez, shared a touching tribute to him on her Instagram Stories, writing, “He had such a soft heart and was a true artist in every way. Rest in peace Oliver. I know you’re making the angels giggle. I’ll be here wondering what stunt and creative project you’re scheming up in heaven. All my love.”
