The Pay It Forward 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.

Barbara and Bruce are excited to form a new partnership for the yearly dispersal of the award.

Art Not Shame will administer the fund with the goal of amplifying local community-engaged arts projects.

The Heartbeat Project: Year-two Recipient

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 is generously funded by PIFAF (Pay It Forward Arts Fund) in partnership with Art Not Shame.

The Heartbeat Project will compromise a series of eight workshops, taking place twice a month. Each week will focus on one of the seven Grandfather teachings (Truth, Humility, Love, Courage, Wisdom, Respect and Honesty). Participants will have the opportunity to lean about and play traditional drums, and to sing together. No previous experience is required. Our group will co-create new songs and art pieces - mediums will include paint, nature crafts and collage - inspired by each Grandfather teaching. Our sessions will conclude with a community open house event in which we will share and perform our creations.

Celebration/Open House: Saturday April 20th

You can direct any questions to heartbeatcommunitycircle@gmail.com