The Oliver Tree Art Foundation officially launched this week, fulfilling a promise the late musician made months before his death. The foundation, officially named Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Art Grant for Baby Geniuses, will award funding to artists working in music, film, installation, and performance art.
Tree died alongside five others in a helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil earlier this month. He was 32. In the weeks following the tragedy, his team moved quickly to establish the non-profit foundation, which was written directly into his will.
The foundation’s website describes its mission: awarding money so artists can “produce and create” across multiple disciplines. Projects must “reflect the spirit of the work Oliver Tree created” during his lifetime, according to the official announcement.
The grant has specific requirements. Funds must be used for the physical production of art, hiring people, renting equipment, and creating tangible work. The money cannot be used for education, schooling, or purchasing permanent equipment. A board will review submissions annually and vote on distribution.
Months before his death, Tree appeared on the Zach Sang Show and laid out his intentions in stark terms. He explained that his will was structured so his family would receive nothing from his estate.
“I’ll get my kids through college, that’s the agreement, but there’s not gonna be a silver spoon,” he said. “All the money is going to go back to artists.”
The musician believed his art would generate residual value after his passing and wanted that wealth channeled directly into the creative community he loved.
A celebration of Tree’s life and memorial service will take place at the UCSC Quarry Amphitheater in Santa Cruz, California on July 25th. The service will also be streamed live for fans unable to attend.
Application requirements, grant amounts, submission dates, and eligibility details for the Baby Geniuses art grant will be announced soon. The foundation aims to remain active for 50 to 100 years, ensuring Tree’s legacy outlasts his brief but impactful career.
