2026 GRANTS
The MaddBear Arts Foundation offers three levels of grants: one annual MBAF Inspiration Grant, one annual MBAF Vision Grant, and up to ten MBAF Director’s Grants per year.
2026 Inspiration Grant Recipient: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
The MaddBear Arts Foundation is proud to award the 2026 Inspiration Grant to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in recognition of its unwavering leadership in championing the arts throughout the northwest suburbs. For decades, Metropolis has been a vibrant cultural home for our community bringing people together through extraordinary live performances, innovative arts education, and meaningful community partnerships.
“This support comes at a meaningful time for the arts,” said Tiffany Gates, executive director of Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. “The MaddBear Arts Foundation Inspiration Grant allows us to expand our reach and continue delivering impactful performances and education programs. We’re incredibly grateful for this partnership.”
Their work inspires audiences of all ages, nurtures emerging talent, and creates inclusive artistic experiences that connect generations. Through a steadfast commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement, Metropolis continues to elevate the cultural life of our region and remind us of the power of the arts to unite, uplift, and inspire.
Congratulations to Metropolis Performing Arts Centre truly a treasured cornerstone of our local arts community.
MBAF Directors and Metropolis Leadership
From left to right: Johanna McKenzie MIller, Metropolis Artistic Director; Tiffany Gates, Metropolis Executive Director; Henry Beardsley, MaddBear Arts Foundation Executive Director; Joe Crimmins, MaddBear Arts Foundation Social Director; Randal Klaproth, Metropolis Director of Development; Karuna Maddava, MaddBear Arts Foundation Grant Director.
Left to Right: Karuna Maddava, Henry Beardsley, and David Hayes
2026 MaddBear Arts Foundation Director's Grant Recipient: David Hayes
MaddBear Arts Foundation is pleased to offer a MBAF Director’s Grant to local musician, composer, and educator David Hayes. David’s vocal and guitar artistry, humor and spirit have been delighting fans for decades.
Hayes is a native of Rockford, Illinois and currently lives with his wife Suzy in Skokie. He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago. Hayes teaches private music lessons, composes original music in multiple genres, and performs across the Chicago area.
Hayes’ brother died in 2010, shortly before Hayes intended to borrow money from him to master his debut album In With The Old. This life event heavily influenced his second release, Out With The New (2012).
He released Epics (2014) which garnered radio recognition and landed two songs in the indie film “Out of the Heart.” A year later, Hayes released an acoustic version. This was followed in 2018 by The Attic. His newest album, Bagpipe, just dropped on Spotify in March 2026.
In his free time, David enjoys road trips to Nashville and Cubs games.
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One hundred percent of your donation goes directly to supporting artists and creative programs.