Pay It Forward Arts Fund

The Pay it Forward Arts Fund (PIFAF) is a gift of artist Barbara Salsberg Mathews and her husband Bruce Mathews. The award helps local artists, in any discipline, fund art projects that “pay it forward” and benefit the community.

The PIFAF takes many forms by using the arts to heal, give a hand-up, help build self-esteem, beautify our environment, or enrich and improve others’ lives. It was designed to encourage artists to rise to the challenge and “pay it forward” by using their talents to help others and the Guelph community. The PIFAF runs for a total of four years. Art Not Shame will administer the fund with the goal of amplifying local community-engaged arts projects.

Pay It Forward Arts Fund 2024

Call for Submissions

In collaboration with Art Not Shame, the Pay It Forward Arts Fund (PIFAF) offers an opportunity for all artists, musicians, writers and creators in the Guelph-Wellington Community to submit applications for the Pay it Forward Fund. For both 2024 and 2025, the final fourth year of PIFAF, the award has been increased from $5,000 to $6,000, and will support one or more projects per year. This award will help local artists, in any discipline, fund art projects that pay it forward and benefit the community. The award is the gift of artist Barbara Salsberg Mathews and her husband, Bruce Mathews. It is designed to encourage artists to rise to the challenge and pay it forward by using their talents to benefit others and the Guelph community.

Who is Eligible

Any artist (or group of artists) age 18 or over, working in Guelph and is a permanent citizen of Canada or persons upon whom refugee protection has been conferred, and who are legally entitled to work in Ontario. They are invited to submit proposals for creative projects that pay it forward and benefit the community. A preference may be given to those who demonstrate a long-standing connection to the Guelph community. All artistic mediums are welcome to apply.

What is Eligible

Guelph-Wellington area artists are invited to submit proposals for creative projects that focus on improving lives and thereby enriching our community. The award could take many forms by using the arts to heal, give a hand-up, help build self-esteem, beautify our environment, or enrich and improve others’ lives.

These projects must be original in nature (this fund does not support events, projects or programs that have already been established) and cannot have begun prior to the award being granted. The project should be able to be completed within the funding requested.

Amount of Award

This grant will fund one or more projects of up to $6,000.

How to Apply

Artists are asked to compile their application into a single PDF file and email it to hello@artnotshame.org. If you would like a hardcopy application form, please contact alisa.mcronald@artnotshame.org.

Please include the following in your application:

  • General Info: Name, Contact, Bio and/or CV

  • Proposal Details: Please submit a written proposal (Max 1200 words) outlining your project, a general timeline for completion and how your project will benefit the Guelph community. Please be as detailed as possible about who will be involved, how they will engage with the project and how your project will give back to the community. Make sure to answer the following questions within your proposal:

    • Who will participate in this project and how will you find them?

    • How does this project ‘pay it forward’ and benefit the Guelph Community? Who will benefit from it?

    • Will the project leave any permanent reminders ? If so, please describe these.

    • If involving others (e.g. businesses, buildings, city components), have you received written permissions to do so? Have any discussions taken place?

    • If you plan to work with (community) groups in this project, how do you intend to ensure active, on-going participation from such a group?

    • If dividing up your project into sessions working with participants, please breakdown how much time will you work together (e.g. one 2-hour weekly session for two months, etc.) and where these take place.

    • Provide as much details you can on how you intend to execute the project, e.g. how will that time be spent? (e.g. half hour improv games, half hour puppetry lesson, break, etc.)

  • Project Budget: Provide as much detail as possible about the costs for the project. Expenses can *include and are not limited to: Pay for artists, materials, resources, equipment and rental of rehearsal/performance space. Capital expenses (e.g. technical equipment, artistic tools, office furniture, renovation of leased spaces, vehicles) are ineligible. Contact hello@artnotshame.org with any budget related questions.

  • 5-10 samples of your work, this can take the shape of images, video, audio files or word documents and other mediums in a digital format.

  • 2 references who can speak to your artistic practice and/or ability to execute a project of this type.

Deadline for Application

Applications must be received no later than Monday, September 30th at 11:59pm

Selections will be made by a Jury, applicants will be notified by October 28, 2024

Additional Notes

Art Not Shame and / or the donors will check-in monthly with artists via email, tracking project plans, offering support where appropriate, and should things change, that there be no surprises for anyone. Artists will receive 80-90% of award up front, and the remaining 20-10% upon completion of project.

Final Reports

A Final Report is expected upon completion of projects. Most projects are done within a year of receiving this award.

The Heartbeat Project: Year-two Recipients

The Heartbeat Project is an intergenerational community circle facilitated by Knowledge Keeper and traditional drum maker Maya LaRose, with musician and educator Shannon Kingsbury. This project is for children to feel supported in waking up to their inner wisdom. The Heartbeat Project ran a series of eight workshops, twice a month. Each week focused on one of the seven Grandfather teachings (Truth, Humility, Love, Courage, Wisdom, Respect and Honesty). Participants created and played traditional drums, and sang together. Some people co-created songs and made art pieces inspired by the Grandfather teachings. The project concluded with the sharing of the group’s creations at a community open house with over 70 people in attendance.

The Re:Project: Year-one Recipients

The Re: Project was led by artists, Alexa Collette and Maeve Hind of Outlet. They led youth in the creation of a permanent mural in the Wyndham House Youth Hub. The mural was designed and painted for youth, by youth. The project took place over the course of 8 weeks with 8-10 youth from Wyndham House Supportive Housing. The weekly community engagements focused on creating a sense of belonging, finding new outlets, and increasing individual and communal well-being. This experience provided individuals with space for their creativity, feelings, and authentic selves. The Re: Project made connections within Wyndham House and focused on the necessary services they offer. The mural is a testament to the unique experience of each individual and the group as a whole. It provides a permanent source of enjoyment and inspiration for all who work and reside at Wyndham House.