This year’s class includes Angelina Burcar, Benjamin Loewe, Kylie Beevers, Ryley Kennedy, and Thurston Imhoff. The five recipients make up the program’s fourth grant cohort, bringing The Sunset Project’s total investment in local creative youth to nearly $25,000 since 2022.

The Creatives Grant is more than a financial award. Each recipient works with The Sunset Project team for three months following their award to connect with mentors, build professional development skills, and access additional resources to further their work in any creative field — from art and design to music, media, writing, and beyond. The program encourages anyone with a creative-based passion or career interest to apply. Applicants are welcome from across The Sunset Project’s seven-county service region: Alpena, Alcona, Presque Isle, Iosco, Oscoda, Montmorency, and Ogemaw counties.

The program honors the memory of Sawyer J. Boyd, a Northeast Michigan native who died by suicide in 2016. His mother, Amy Swinson, and sister, Maddy Boyd, remain deeply involved in The Sunset Project’s mission and programming.

Founded in 2021, The Sunset Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates three core initiatives in the region:

Courtesy Photo The Sunset Project has announced the recipients of its 2025 Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant, awarding nearly $6,000 in funding to five young creatives from Northeast Michigan.

~ The Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant – Supporting youth through creative funding and mentorship.

~ FOCUS45 – A community placemaking and cultural initiative that strengthens regional identity through art, storytelling, and public events.

~ Northeast Michigan Wellness Initiative (NEMWI) – A mental health education program that raises awareness, reduces stigma, and connects young people and the broader community with resources.

~ Over the next several months, The Sunset Project will share interviews with this year’s recipients on its website and social media platforms, highlighting their creative interests, reasons for applying, and how they plan to use their grant funding.

Congratulations to the 2025 Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant recipients.