Our Story

In 2021, Erick Calderon and Jeff Davis established the Generative Art Fund following the "Natively Digital" auction at Sotheby's. The auction featured a collection of NFTs from the first nineteen curated projects at Art Blocks that was assembled from their personal collections. Calderon and Davis dedicated all proceeds from the sale to the creation of a charitable fund to support the field of generative art. Since the inaugural contribution, this initiative has seen significant growth, fueled by the generous contributions of other artists and supporters.

Today, we operate as the Generative Art Foundation. In addition to providing direct grants and funding, our mission now includes fostering opportunities for artists, engaging in educational outreach, implementing preservation strategies, and forming strategic partnerships with cultural institutions. This evolution allows us to better serve both the art form and the communities driving it forward.

Our Mission

The Generative Art Foundation is dedicated to elevating generative art in all its forms and promoting creative coding as a meaningful artistic practice. Our work centers on:

Opportunity

• Supporting organizations that merge artistic expression and programming to promote creativity and software literacy

• Championing initiatives that foster diversity and inclusivity in creative coding

• Providing residency and exhibition opportunities with partner organizations to support artists in developing and showcasing generative art

Education

• Expanding public appreciation and understanding of generative art

• Partnering with arts organizations to host educational events and cultural exchanges

• Serving as a resource for academic research and publication on generative art

Preservation

• Implementing technical solutions for the digital preservation of generative art

• Developing and maintaining a publicly accessible archive of generative art and related resources

• Building a diverse and meaningful collection of generative art

Partnership

• Collaborating with museums and institutions to integrate generative art into exhibitions and programs

• Assisting institutions in acquiring and managing on-chain generative art

• Lending generative artworks to institutions for public display and engagement

We are committed to building a sustainable future for generative art and supporting its practice and recognition within the broader art world.

Our Impact

Over the last several years, our efforts have demonstrated our commitment to nurturing a vibrant and inclusive community around generative art. We’ve provided grants to universities and nonprofit organizations that promote creative coding and software literacy in the visual arts, with a particular focus on underrepresented communities. We’ve supported museum exhibitions and other institutional initiatives that seek to feature and catalog generative art, and we’ve provided seed funding for the development of a film series documenting the history and evolution of computational art. Now, as the Generative Art Foundation, we build on this legacy, expanding our reach and deepening our support to ensure that generative art thrives for decades to come.