Presented by the Matter of Art Fund
A creative giving initiative from This Artists Dream

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✨ What's the Matter of Art Grant?

The Matter of Art Grant is the first award presented through the newly launched Matter of Art Fund, a philanthropic initiative powered by This Artists Dream. This grant uplifts imaginative fine artists working in physical media — artists who shape form from vision and meaning from material.

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💸 2025 Grant Awards

We’re awarding three unrestricted cash grants in our inaugural cycle:

• 1 Grand Grant – $1,000

• 2 Runner-Up Grants – $500 each

These grants are designed to fuel your creative momentum — whether that means buying supplies, covering rent, or giving yourself permission to explore. You decide what you need.

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🎨 Potential Exhibition Opportunity

We are currently exploring the possibility of hosting a group exhibition in the Cleveland, Ohio region. If this opportunity comes together, up to 5 top applicants may be invited to exhibit in a curated show celebrating recipients and finalists of the Matter of Art Fund.

(Participation in the exhibition is not guaranteed and will be offered separately from the cash awards.)

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🧱 Who Can Apply

We welcome artists who:

• Work in matter-based media such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, installation, or mixed media

• Are not exclusively digital artists

• Demonstrate originality, craftsmanship, and a personal artistic voice (imagination).

Whether you're emerging or established, if you turn materials into meaning, this grant is for you.

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📅 Key Dates

• Application Deadline: June 15, 2025

• Finalists Notified: August 15, 2025

• Winners Announced: November 20, 2025

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💬 Why an Application Fee?

$25.  The application fee is non-refundable. It helps make this grant possible. It supports administrative costs, jury review, and ensures the Matter of Art Fund can grow to support even more artists in the future. 100% of proceeds stay within this artist-led initiative.

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🛠️ How to Apply

👉 [Click here to apply for the 2025 Matter of Art Grant]

Prepare to upload 5-10 examples of your recent work and answer a few brief questions about yourself and your creative practice.

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📖 About the Matter of Art Fund

The Matter of Art Fund is a grantmaking initiative founded by artist and publisher David F. Heatwole, built to support artists who work with physical materials and imaginative intent. Funded by This Artists Dream, the Fund exists to return creative capital to the very community that inspires it.

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🎯 What Makes This Different

• Created by artist and publisher David F. Heatwole
  This fund was founded by a working artist with over four decades of dedication to fine art, curation, and arts publishing.

• Fueled by sales from our own art-infused products
  Every purchase from This Artists Dream directly supports the Matter of Art Fund and future grant cycles.

• Supports artists working with matter, not just pixels
  This grant is focused exclusively on artists working in physical media — honoring hands-on craft in all its forms.

• Offers the possibility of future exhibition invitations in Cleveland, Ohio for finalists
  We’re developing opportunities to showcase selected finalists in future exhibitions in the Cleveland region.

• Built on transparency, purpose, and love for the creative spirit
  No hidden agenda. Just real support, created by artists, for artists.

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📣 Help Us Spread the Word

Whether you’re an artist, collector, or art lover — we invite you to share this opportunity with your creative circles. The more support the Matter of Art Fund receives, the more we can grow this initiative into something truly transformative.

Let’s build a future where artists are not only seen — but sustained.

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🖌️ About This Artists Dream

This Artists Dream is a fine art lifestyle brand founded by David F. Heatwole, blending functional products with original artwork. With the tagline “We Make You the Artwork,” the brand transforms clothing and goods into everyday canvases — and uses a portion of proceeds to fund arts-based philanthropy.

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✍️ A Note from the Founder

“This grant is my way of giving back — not just to individual artists, but to the very spirit of creativity that shaped who I am. If you’re someone who turns thought into form, dream into matter, this fund was built with you in mind.”
— David F. Heatwole
Founder of This Artists Dream and the Matter of Art Fund