The Eben Demarest Fund
The Eben Demarest Fund was established by Miss Elizabeth B. Demarest in 1939 in the name of her father as an expression of their shared interest in the arts and world cultures. For many years, Miss Demarest taught a course on the History of Civilization at the institution that has become Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She envisioned the fund as a means of providing financial freedom for individuals to devote themselves to continued work in the arts and archeology.
Recipients must have produced significant work in their chosen fields and demonstrate special promise for future achievement. Biennially, the Fund awards one grant in an amount of up to $20,000 to an artist or archeologist to support the creation of new work. A rotating pool of nominators from archaeology programs and established nonprofit arts and cultural organizations evaluate submissions and collectively make final funding recommendations.
Meet the 2025 Awardee: Dr. Sharif BeyArtist, ceramicist and educator Dr. Sharif Bey will receive an award of $29,180 from the Eben Demarest Fund, a Pittsburgh Foundation fund. Dr. Bey is a Syracuse, New York-based artist who is also a professor of art at Syracuse University. The fund supports the work of independent creative artists and archeologists from across the United States. |
| Artwork by Dr. Sharif Bey: |
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Past awardees include painter Jackson Pollock, poet Robert Duncan and dancer and choreographer Kyle Abraham. Since its establishment, more than 50 individuals have been supported by the Fund.
