Oliver Tree’s family has established a foundation in accordance with his late wishes to provide grants to emerging artists. The initiative, named Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Art Grant for Baby Geniuses, was launched just two weeks after the singer’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in Brazil at the age of 32.
The foundation’s mission emphasizes Tree’s belief that artistic mastery comes from hands-on creation rather than formal study. It will award grants to individuals working in music, film, installation, and performance art.
The foundation reflects Tree’s vision for his posthumous legacy, which he discussed in prior interviews. “When I die, all the money will go back to artists,” he once stated. “You’re not allowed to buy equipment or attend school with the funds, but you can hire people to help produce work, rent gear, and collaborate.”
Tree also outlined a committee structure for grant decisions, composed of collaborators from his lifetime, to ensure the fund’s longevity. The foundation specifies that non-art-related and non-sentimental assets will be sold to support the grants, with donations also accepted. The goal is to sustain the fund for 50 to 100 years.
Application guidelines and deadlines will be announced in due course. Additionally, the family announced a celebration of life and memorial service for Oliver Tree on July 25 at UC Santa Cruz’s Quarry Amphitheater. While the event is private, a live stream will be available.
