Cardano Artist Incubation: Nurturing Talent & Sustainable Growth in Digital Art

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Chadi Nassar (on behalf of Plutus.Art as co-founder)

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

support@plutus.art

Additional applicants

Stale 

Fettuccine

Both are also co-founders

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

No

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

This is not a project which needs coding so there will be nothing to "open source" per se. That said, everything we do will be open to the public to participate in.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

NFTs

[METADATA] SDG rating

These are the SDG ratings that would fit well with this proposal are:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education - Our Artist Incubation Program provides educational workshops and mentorship to help emerging digital artists develop their skills and knowledge.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality - The project emphasizes the inclusion of all artists including women and marginalized community artists. By providing an equal platform for all artists, the project promotes gender equality and empowers women and girls.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - By supporting emerging digital artists and helping them thrive on Cardano, our program aims to promote economic growth and provide decent work opportunities in the creative industries.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Our program supports innovation in the digital art space by providing resources and exposure to emerging artists, and by promoting the use of Cardano as a platform for creative expression.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our Artist Incubation Program aims to support emerging talents in the digital art space by providing mentorship, resources, and exposure to help artists thrive on Cardano. The program includes educational workshops, networking opportunities, and promotional campaigns to showcase their work. By empowering these artists and helping them succeed on Cardano, we hope to attract more creatives to the platform and strengthen its position as a leading destination for digital art.

Some actionable steps we would take include:

1. Recruiting a cohort of emerging digital artists to participate in the program.
2. Providing mentorship and Sales experience to help participants develop their skills and knowledge.
3. Organizing educational workshops on topics such as digital art techniques, marketing, and business development.
4. Facilitating networking opportunities for participants to connect with other artists, industry professionals, and potential collaborators.
5. Conducting promotional campaigns to showcase the work of participating artists and raise their profile on Cardano.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Our program addresses the challenge of supporting emerging digital artists by providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed on Cardano. By helping these artists thrive on the platform, we hope to attract more creatives to Cardano and strengthen its position as a leading destination for digital art. This will bring more users and transactions to the ecosystem, as well as enhance its reputation as a supportive and inclusive community for creatives.

Some concrete examples of achievable benefits for the Cardano ecosystem include:

1. Attracting more creatives to Cardano by demonstrating its support for emerging digital artists.
2. Increasing the volume and diversity of digital art available on Cardano by empowering participating artists to create and share their work on the platform.
3. Enhancing Cardano’s reputation as a supportive and inclusive community for creatives by showcasing its commitment to nurturing emerging talents.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

We will track the number of artists supported, the resources provided, and the engagement and reach of our promotional campaigns. We will gather feedback from participating artists and mentors to assess the impact of the program on their careers and creative development. We will also monitor the growth and activity of the digital art community on Cardano to gauge the broader impact of our program.

1. Tracking the number of artists supported by our program, as well as their progress and achievements over time.
2. Measuring the engagement and reach of our promotional campaigns through metrics such as social media impressions, website traffic, and media coverage.
3. Conducting surveys and interviews with participating artists and mentors to gather feedback on the impact of our program on their careers and creative development.
4. Monitoring trends in the digital art community on Cardano, such as growth in user numbers, transaction volumes, and overall activity levels.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

We plan to share the outputs and results of our project through a variety of channels, including socials and presentations at relevant conferences and events. We will explore opportunities to collaborate with other organizations and initiatives in the digital art space to amplify our impact and reach.

1. Regular progress reports: We will produce regular quarterly progress reports to provide updates on our activities, achievements, and challenges. And one final comprehensive report at the end of the year.
2. Social media updates: We will use social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share updates on our program and showcase the work of participating artists on a more frequent basis.
3. Presentations: We will participate in relevant conferences and events to present our work and share our learnings with the broader community.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Chadi is an experienced artist who has won awards and exhibited in Dubai and other parts of the world, he also has sales experience working with and curating for high net worth individuals with his past in the luxury industry having worked with the 2 largest groups in luxury (LVMH & Richemont). He brings his coaching and training experience with him to head the mentorship program. Nic is equally as experienced in Sales and marketing across many industries. He has worked in multinational companies and will be handling the marketing aspects of the project. Stale, Kieran, and Adawg will be in charge of the technical implementation of our incubation proposal.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The main goals for our project are to support emerging digital artists on Cardano by providing them with mentorship, resources, and exposure; to attract more creatives to the platform; and to strengthen Cardano’s position as a leading destination for digital art. Some specific, achievable goals include:

• Recruiting a cohort of emerging digital artists to participate in our program.
• Providing mentorship from experienced digital artists to help participants develop their skills and knowledge.
• Organizing educational workshops on topics such as digital art techniques, marketing, and business development.
• Facilitating networking opportunities for participants to connect with other artists, industry professionals, and potential collaborators.
• Conducting promotional campaigns to showcase the work of participating artists and raise their profile on Cardano.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

1. Program design and planning (Months 1): Develop a detailed plan for the Artist Incubation Program, including defining its scope, objectives, and target audience; identifying potential mentors; and establishing partnerships with relevant organization. Training mentors on how to best be of service to the recruited artists.
2. Pilot program (Months 2): Conduct a pilot program with a small group of artists to test and refine our method
3. Program launch (Month 3): Launch the full-scale Artist Incubation Program, including recruiting artists, providing mentorship and resources, and organizing workshops and networking event
4. Ongoing program delivery (Months 4-12): Continue delivering the Artist Incubation Program, including providing ongoing support to participating artists, organizing promotional campaigns, and gathering feedback from stakeholder
5. Program evaluation (Month 12): Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Artist Incubation Program to assess its impact and identify areas for improvemen

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Program design and planning:

• Deliverables:
• Detailed program plan outlining program objectives, activities, and timelines.
• Budget plan including estimated costs and funding sources.
• Outputs:
• Partnerships established with relevant organizations, such as art institutions, community centers, and funding bodies.
• Intended outcomes:
• A well-designed program that aligns with the organization's goals and objectives.
• Feasibility assessment ensuring that the program can be implemented within the available resources.
• Clear understanding of the program's potential impact and benefits for the target audience.

Pilot program:

• Deliverables:
• Comprehensive report on the pilot program, including insights, observations, and recommendations.
• Outputs:
• Feedback from participating artists and mentors on the program's structure, effectiveness, and areas for improvement.
• Intended outcomes:
• Refinement of the program based on lessons learned from the pilot, addressing any identified challenges or shortcomings.
• Validation of the program's viability and potential for success through participant feedback.
• Adjustments made to improve the program's impact and value for future participants.

Program launch:

• Deliverables:
• Promotional materials, such as brochures, website content, and social media campaigns, to raise awareness about the Artist Incubation Program.
• Outputs:
• Cohort of recruited artists who have successfully completed the application and selection process.
• Intended outcomes:
• Successful program launch with a sufficient number of talented and motivated artists enrolled in the program.
• Increased visibility and interest from the target audience and the wider community.
• Ensuring a diverse and inclusive cohort that represents different artistic disciplines and backgrounds.

Ongoing program delivery:

• Deliverables:
• Regular progress reports documenting program activities, achievements, and challenges.
• Outputs:
• Workshops, seminars, and training sessions conducted to develop the artists' skills and knowledge.
• Networking events organized to facilitate collaboration and connections among participating artists, mentors, and industry professionals.
• Promotional campaigns to showcase the artists' work and increase their exposure.
• Intended outcomes:
• Consistent and effective program delivery that meets the needs and expectations of the artists.
• Enhanced artistic abilities, entrepreneurial skills, and professional networks of the participants.
• Increased visibility and recognition for the artists, leading to new opportunities and career advancement.

Program evaluation:

• Deliverables:
• Evaluation report assessing the program's overall performance, impact, and areas for improvement.
• Outputs:
• Feedback from various stakeholders, including artists, mentors, staff, and external partners.
• Intended outcomes:
• Comprehensive understanding of the program's effectiveness in achieving its intended goals and objectives.
• Identification of strengths, weaknesses, and areas where adjustments or enhancements are necessary.
• Recommendations for future improvements and strategies to maximize the program's impact and sustainability.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Here is a breakdown of the detailed budget for each category:

Workshop and event costs:

• Number of workshops: 6
• Average cost per workshop: $750
• Total cost: 6 workshops * $750/workshop = $4500

Technical implementation and launchpad for incubation:

• Cost: $2,000

Promotional campaign expenses:

• Advertising: $2,000
• Social media promotion: $1,500
• Total cost: $2,000 + $1,500 = $3,000

Program management:

• Part-time Project Manager: $5,000
• Mentorship Budget (payment of $75/hour): $5,000
• Total cost: $10,000

The overall budget for the program, including all the categories mentioned, would be:

Workshop and event costs: $4500

Technical implementation and launchpad for incubation: $2,000

Promotional campaign expenses: $3,000

Program management: $10,000

Total program budget: $4,500 + $2,000 + $3,000 + $20,000 = $29,500. We are asking for 80,000 ADA

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by supporting emerging digital artists & helping them thrive on platform. By attracting more creatives to Cardano & strengthening its position as a leading destination for digital art, we hope to bring more users & transactions to the ecosystem as well as enhance its reputation as a supportive & inclusive community for creatives. The cost of the project is justified by its potential impact on both individual artists & broader Cardano ecosystem. We will ensure that all expenses are reasonable & in line with industry standards. For example, mentorship fees will be benchmarked against prevailing rates for similar services, while workshop & event costs will be carefully managed to ensure that they deliver maximum value for money.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept