The Creatorbread Creative Grant Program is a movement by Piertree Provides to remove the financial limitations & anxiety from pursuing a creative career. Anyone with a creative idea, project, or business can apply for funding to assist with their journey. After going through the application process and receiving approval, funds are dispersed with a promise to provide updates & results of the grant usage.
On December 9th 2022, the Creatorbread Creative Grant Program was formed.
Much quicker than I imagined, on December 30th, we funded the first grant.
The first recipient is Elizabeth R, a young creative who designs costumes & garments using non-traditional materials and methods.
She’s always done her sewing by hand so for her, it’s been a dream to have a sewing machine and a mannequin form after years of manual work.
“I just want to create freely without having to worry about financial restraint as much as I do. I have so many ideas but only a few get to exist in the tangible world, having a sewing machine would let me make costumes and garments in just a fraction of the time.”
- Elizabeth R
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What’s your first memory of falling in love with creative work/making things?
I remember at Head Start where I attended preschool endlessly for hours just being able to draw in a notebook with only a pencil and an eraser. I was just so obsessed and thrilled with how limitless the possibilities were to draw whatever was in my imagination. Every free moment I could get, as long as there was a pencil and paper, I was drawing characters, stories, ideas, observations, creatures, you name it. It was a great escape from any stresses or struggles of the day or at home.
We didn't have much, so I found myself creating my own fun out of what I could.
What are some of your most recent projects?
Recently I created a "Moth Creature" for an upcoming low-budget horror film, all constructed out of paper, cardboard, and paint. I'm very excited to see how that turned out on camera and have also created a "Bird Creature" costume utilizing sticks, paper, and pantyhose for a similar project.
These two creatures are abstract conceptualizations of these animals, but distorted in a way that evokes horror and mystery. I love creating costumes that normally wouldn't be worn or seen on a daily basis, a way to invite magic and wonder into our lives where usually there is not.
How do you plan to use the grant to progress your creative journey / what are some of your goals?
This grant will allow me to purchase materials and equipment that I have never been able to before. With the way that my joints are affected by Lupus it has been increasingly harder to sew by hand or to hold things steady for long periods of time or even at all.
A sewing machine would alleviate a lot of that pain on my hands and would let me keep doing what I love.
With this grant I will be purchasing a sewing machine and a mannequin form which I've always either had to do without or go to great lengths to borrow.
My goal is to continue to work on my portfolio and someday have a career in tv/film in the costume or wardrobe department. I would also love to participate in a runway show with my work that uplifts individuals who are usually barricaded from walking the runway.
If you had one message to share with the world, what would it be?
Keep going. It may sound cliche but trust me. I have been to the lowest low with no one there for myself besides myself. You just have to keep going even when everything seems to be against you and has fallen apart. You never know what might be around the corner for you. Something can be made from nothing and you can make your dreams come to fruition if you stay true to yourself and keep going.
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Elizabeth is the first of many creatives to receive a Creatorbread Grant.
Throughout the year, I’ll be doing outreach and creating fundraising campaigns to help fund the next grants.
Our current fundraising goal is $4,777 to fund four (4) of the initial applications.
As of January 17th, we've raised $701.76.
Because we have no employees & we operate with minimal business costs, all dollars we receive from donors go towards the applicants.
So as we continue to receive donations & raise funds, we continue to fund grants.
If you’d like to support the mission and apply or donate, kindly visit the link below:
View the Creatorbread Creative Grant Program
I appreciate you & thanks for reading 🖤
Treyton
