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The Open Wheel Scholarship Fund

The Spirit of Bayanihan in Every Turn

At Bayan Ceramics, we believe that the "Positive Force" of art is a communal responsibility. We are guided by the Filipino tradition of Bayanihan—the spirit of civic unity and cooperation. It is the idea that a community can achieve the impossible when everyone puts their shoulder to the task.

The Open Wheel Scholarship Fund is our way of carrying the creative dreams of our neighbors. It ensures that financial barriers never stand in the way of an artist finding their center within our 7,600 sq. ft. sanctuary.

How We Carry the Load Together

In the spirit of Bayanihan, no one person carries the cost alone. We sustain the fund through a collective effort:

  • The Member Heartbeat: Every Bayan Monthly Member puts their shoulder to the wheel, with $18 of their monthly dues going directly to the fund.

  • The Bazaar Door: Every guest who walks through our 16' "Portal" during the Bayan Bazaar contributes a $5 entry fee - 100% of which is reinvested into the community.

  • The Pillars: Local businesses and private patrons act as "The Anchor," providing the structural support needed for large-scale access.

  • Community Lifts: Individuals provide the "extra hand" through one-time $25, $50, and $100 contributions.

Who We Lift (The Partial Grant Model)

We provide subsidies (typically 25%–75% of costs) for those ready to commit to their practice:

  • Rising Artists: Monthly memberships for adults and seniors making their professional debut.

  • Weekly Teen Classes: Recurring technical mentorship for the next generation of makers.

  • Educational Field Trips: Removing cost barriers for local schools to experience the "Sanctuary."

  • Professional Externships: Career-track stipends for students learning the business of the kiln.

Open Wheel Giving Tiers

  • These tiers provide the structural integrity for our scholarship program, ensuring the "Debut" of our community’s artists is supported by local industry.

    • The Wright Landmark ($5,000/yr): The Foundation. Named for Frank Lloyd Wright, this sponsorship acts as the architectural spine of our fund, allowing us to host large-scale educational field trips and professional externships.

    • The Hemingway Center ($2,500/yr): The Narrative. Named for Ernest Hemingway, this tier supports the technical instruction of our Weekly Teen Classes, helping young makers write their own creative stories.

    • The Gwendolyn Spark ($1,000/yr): The Ignition. Named for Gwendolyn Brooks, this sponsorship provides the raw materials (clay and fire) that spark the very first "Debut" moment for a student in need.

  • These tiers are for individuals who believe in the personal "Bayanihan" lift—carrying the legacy of our neighborhood's greatest mentors.

    • The Burley Founder ($3,000/yr): The Legacy. Named for Logan Burley, this patron provides the heavy lift required to sustain our Rising Artist memberships for the entire year.

    • The Alstad Rising Patron ($1,500/yr): The Momentum. Named for Stan Alstad, this tier focuses on the "late-career debut," supporting artists who are finding their voice in their second act of life.

    • The Keith Taylor Legacy ($500/yr): The Quiet Force. Named for Keith Taylor, this sponsorship honors the spirit of mentorship, directly funding a partial grant for a local artist to commit to a full season of craft.

  • Even the smallest hand helps carry the house. These one-time contributions fuel the daily operations of the "Debut."

    • The "222" Patron ($100): A foundational lift for one week of studio access.

    • The Austin Ally ($50): A neighborly hand for a partial day-pass.

    • The Lake Street Lift ($25): The spark that covers clay and firing for a teen student.

  • Perk Highlights Across All Tiers

    • The Digital Wall of Gratitude: Every donor from $25 to $5,000 is recognized on the live-feed screen in the Gallery.

    • The "Social Enterprise" Edge: Because we are a social enterprise, these perks are designed to provide tangible value—marketing for businesses and exclusive access for individuals—while directly funding the Universal Debut of our artists.

    • Every act of support comes with a seat at our table. For a deep dive into the perks and legacy honors of each tier, please view our Open Wheel Giving Brochure.

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A Social Enterprise Model: Bayanihan is about mutual support, not charity. As a social enterprise, we work outside the non-profit model. While contributions are not tax-deductible, they are 100% transparent and impactful. Your support is a direct investment in the hands and hearts of Oak Park and Austin makers.