The Distributed Creatives Team

Meet Our Board of Directors

Grig Bilham

Exec Director/
Co-Founder

Matty Bovard

Director/
Co-Founder

Heidi Petty

Director

The Distributed Creatives Board of Directors brings together over 100 years of combined experience in grant management, community development, technological innovation, and cultural programming. Our leadership team has collectively secured more than $25 million in grant funding, successfully delivered over 100 digital products, managed numerous cultural venues, and built sustainable creative communities across the United States.

This exceptional team unites diverse expertise in blockchain technology, environmental conservation, festival production, community organizing, and educational programming to create innovative solutions for the creative economy. Each director contributes specialized knowledge and proven success in developing sustainable funding models, implementing complex projects, and building vibrant creative ecosystems.


Grig Bilham

Executive Director & Co-Founder, Distributed Creatives

Grig Bilham brings over 25 years of exceptional technical leadership and community-building experience to Distributed Creatives. His demonstrated ability to design, develop, and deploy successful digital platforms makes him an invaluable asset to our organization’s mission of transforming the creative economy.

Track Record of Successful Project Delivery

  • Launched over 70 digital products across diverse platforms, technologies, and sectors
  • Delivered all key projects on or ahead of schedule, including complex applications for Fortune 500 companies
  • Maintained 100% completion rate on technical deliverables throughout his career
  • Managed multidisciplinary teams of 5-20 engineers for enterprise-level applications
  • Created systems with remarkable longevity, including a USGS earthquake monitoring system that remained in active use for 20 years

Grant Management & Fund Distribution Experience

  • Completed all requirements for a $60,000 Chia blockchain grant before payment was issued, demonstrating exceptional reliability and commitment. Freely available for creators at musely.social/mintr.
  • Released grant-funded software as free, open-source tools for the broader community
  • Distributed $2 million to artists within 16 months through Addictech, his digital download music platform
  • Generated millions in revenue for creators over a 16-year period
  • Built transparent payment and reporting systems ensuring accountability to all stakeholders

Technical Innovation & Implementation

  • Authored two significant blockchain improvement proposals (CHIP-0015 and CHIP-0021) that advanced NFT standards
  • Pioneered Composable NFTs, enabling on-chain attribution and royalty distribution for collaborative digital assets
  • Co-chairs the Metaverse Standards Forum, leading the Digital Assets Management Working Group
  • Developed the Metaverse Metadata Directory (MVMD.org), establishing frameworks for interoperability between different metaverse platforms
  • Uses programming languages including C#, C++, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, Rust, and Swift
  • Created cutting-edge AR/VR applications for medical, educational, and commercial uses

Audience Reach & Community Building

  • Developed a Facebook application with 5 million users for Disney-ABC’s “WipeOut” TV show
  • Built a music platform used by hundreds of electronic artists, including many who are now industry leaders
  • Established lasting partnerships with 50+ businesses and cultural institutions
  • Connected with prominent thought leaders including Terence McKenna and Ram Dass
  • Cultivated a global network of creators, technologists, and community organizers

Leadership Positions

Leadership & Vision for Distributed Creatives

Grig currently leads multiple high-impact initiatives that position Distributed Creatives for significant growth:

  • Musely.social: A free, comprehensive platform where creators keep 100% of their revenue
  • Local Artist Network: A physical-digital infrastructure launching in Boulder with 30 screens, projected to generate millions in annual sponsorship revenue
  • Forever Sites: A blockchain-based archive ensuring digital permanence and proper attribution for creative works
  • The Show: A globally broadcast creator showcase with potential to reach millions of viewers

Grig’s unique combination of technical expertise, entrepreneurial success, and deep understanding of creative communities enables him to identify opportunities, solve complex challenges, and deliver tangible results. His proven track record of building sustainable systems that prioritize creator empowerment while maintaining financial viability makes him exceptionally qualified to lead Distributed Creatives’ ambitious initiatives.


Matty Bovard

Co-Founder & Director, Distributed Creatives

Matty Bovard brings over 15 years of experience in creative production, cultural organization, and digital transformation to Distributed Creatives. His expertise spans community building, event production, and innovative funding models for artistic initiatives.

Program Development & Cultural Impact

  • Co-founded and sustained StarWater Wednesdays (2013-2020), a flagship cultural program that became a cornerstone of Boulder’s creative community
  • Served as Poetry Coordinator for ARISE Music Festival (2013-2014), pioneering new models for integrating spoken word performance into major festival environments
  • Successfully integrated established artists like Anne Waldman with emerging voices, creating unprecedented performance opportunities
  • Developed innovative “wandering performer” models now adopted by multiple festival organizations
  • Established and operated a proof-of-concept internet radio station (2021-2023), producing over 200 hours of original programming featuring local and national artists

Community Building & Leadership

  • Founded “Knew Evolution” magazine, creating a sustainable platform for artistic collaboration
  • Built and maintained a network of performing artists across multiple states
  • Developed sustainable partnerships between artists and venues throughout Colorado
  • Created frameworks for cross-cultural creative exchange adopted by multiple organizations
  • Established lasting connections between Minneapolis and Boulder art scenes

Digital Innovation & Economic Models

  • Pioneered early adoption of Web3 technologies for artist empowerment (2021-present)
  • Developed hybrid funding models combining traditional grants with blockchain-based systems
  • Created sustainable revenue frameworks for artists that preserve creative autonomy
  • Established systems for efficient resource sharing among creative communities
  • Implemented innovative models for community-supported artistic development

Notable Achievements

  • Executed a groundbreaking 13-hour continuous poetry performance, documented and available on YouTube
  • Built an extensive archive of original music and cultural programming from Boulder’s creative community
  • Successfully bridged traditional artistic practices with emerging technologies
  • Developed scalable systems for artist empowerment currently being implemented across multiple communities
  • Created educational resources for artistic and economic empowerment

Current Focus Areas

Leadership in developing:

  • New economic models for artistic sustainability
  • Frameworks for community-supported artistic development
  • Hybrid funding approaches combining traditional and innovative financing
  • Infrastructure for cross-cultural creative collaboration
  • Scalable systems for artist empowerment and support

Matty’s unique combination of practical experience in community building, innovative approaches to cultural programming, and expertise in emerging funding models positions him as a valuable asset for organizations seeking to create sustainable support systems for artists and creative communities.


Dr. Brian Hewlett

Director, Distributed Creatives

Dr. Brian Hewlett brings over three decades of experience in grant management, program development, and community leadership, with demonstrated success in securing and administering multi-million dollar funding initiatives. His career spans higher education, nonprofit leadership, and cultural programming, with particular expertise in developing sustainable funding models for community-based initiatives.

Grant Management and Financial Impact

  • Secured and managed over $2 million in grants for educational and community initiatives
  • Administered multi-million dollar budgets for college-wide retention programs
  • Successfully managed complex projects with budgets exceeding $500,000
  • Developed sustainable funding models implemented across multiple organizations
  • Coordinated fundraising and sponsorship efforts exceeding $100,000 through Brian Hewlett LLC

Program Development and Impact Metrics

  • Increased minority student retention rates by 35% through targeted support programs
  • Created STEM outreach programs reaching over 1,000 K-12 students annually
  • Developed programs impacting over 5,000 students across multiple institutions
  • Established partnerships with 50+ local businesses and organizations
  • Coordinated volunteer programs engaging over 1,000 community members
  • Produced events with combined attendance exceeding 50,000

Academic Credentials and Research

  • Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Arizona (2007), focusing on Social Psychology
  • M.A. in Sociology (2002), specializing in Social Movements and Technology
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology, University of North Carolina, Charlotte (1995)
  • Led research across 31 nations examining religious/spiritual identification
  • Developed innovative methodologies combining quantitative and qualitative approaches

Leadership Positions

Current Initiatives

Currently leads multiple grant programs supporting:

  • Festival Friends Fund for aspiring Artists and Entertainers
  • Limitless Access Fund for community building projects
  • Health research and family relief funds
  • Immediate resource needs for homeless populations

Dr. Hewlett’s combination of academic credentials, proven grant management experience, and demonstrated program impact makes him an invaluable asset for organizations seeking to develop and implement sustainable funding initiatives. His track record of successful program development and measurable community impact demonstrates his ability to translate funding into tangible results.


Heidi Petty

Director, Distributed Creatives

Heidi Petty brings 40 years of grant management expertise and community leadership to Distributed Creatives. As Watershed and Fundraising Program Manager at the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, she has secured and administered over $20 million in grants, including $1.8 million in the current year alone. Her rare combination of environmental conservation knowledge, cultural programming experience, and grant writing mastery enables her to develop sustainable funding models that deliver exceptional results across multiple sectors.

Grant Management Excellence

  • 40 years of continuous grant writing and management experience, beginning at age 15
  • Secured and managed over $20 million in total grant funding across her career
  • Obtained $1.8 million in new grants in the current year alone
  • Successfully administered complex federal grants requiring 200+ pages of documentation and environmental impact reporting
  • Maintained 100% compliance rate across all grant reporting requirements
  • Designed comprehensive management systems for tracking multiple concurrent grants
  • Built lasting relationships with federal, state, and private funding organizations

Community Leadership & Organization Building

  • 4.5 years as Chamber of Commerce President, modernizing operations for local businesses
  • 4.5 years as President of Crockett Community Services District, serving 3,300 residents
  • Founder of “Through the Looking Glass: A Living Art Studio” that evolved into a 15-artist cooperative
  • Board Member of Crockett Arts Alliance, organizing community-wide cultural events
  • Co-developer of Forbes Island cultural venue, coordinating events for up to 125 attendees
  • Co-owner and developer of Starboard Home Marina, creating water access infrastructure
  • Manager of a 28-acre sustainable Highlander Cattle Ranch integrating cultural programming

Environmental Conservation & Event Management

  • 17+ years as Watershed Program Manager implementing innovative conservation initiatives
  • Organized major eco-events including the Shoreline Festival and Bay Area Butterfly Festival
  • Pioneered sustainable marine practices in the Bay Area, becoming the first retailer to utilize seaweed as a natural water purification method
  • Created community engagement programs reaching thousands of participants annually
  • Developed volunteer programs engaging diverse stakeholders in environmental conservation
  • Implemented watershed management strategies that have become regional models

Cultural Programming & Venue Development

  • Transformed a historic brothel into a vibrant 15-artist cooperative with performance space
  • Established Bradford Island as a cultural venue for artistic expression and community gathering
  • Created sustainable funding models for multiple community arts initiatives
  • Developed the Forbes Island project through strategic stakeholder engagement
  • Coordinated marine infrastructure for major ephemeral events in the Bay Area
  • Built partnerships with prominent artists, technologists, and cultural figures

Value to Granting Organizations

Heidi’s comprehensive experience directly addresses key concerns of grant-making organizations:

  • Proven expertise in grant writing, submission, and management across federal, state, and private funding sources
  • Exceptional track record of grant compliance and reporting with meticulous documentation practices
  • Demonstrated ability to transform grant funding into sustainable community initiatives
  • Experience navigating complex stakeholder relationships to achieve project objectives
  • Capacity to build community support and participation in funded initiatives
  • Strong background in environmental conservation and cultural development, aligning with multiple funding priorities

With Heidi’s grant management expertise and community leadership, Distributed Creatives offers funders the assurance of professional oversight, strategic implementation, and lasting impact for their investments.