Art and ADA: An Ethiopian Digital Store for Art and Architectural Products

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Dawit Wujra

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

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

7

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Art and ADA is a digital marketplace for Ethiopian art and architectural products featuring auctions, digital galleries and a global reach, promoting ADA adoption in the creative sector.

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

Yes

[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.”

Partnership with Local Art Institutions: Collaborations with art galleries, architecture firms, and creative communities in Ethiopia will ensure a wide selection of products and help build trust in the platform and dependencies at the same time.

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

No

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Some elements of the platform, particularly the backend system that deals with payment processing and smart contracts, will not be open-sourced to ensure secure transactions and protect users’ data.

[METADATA] Horizons

Marketplace

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The art and architecture industries in Ethiopia face challenges related to market access, payment processing, and transparency. Artists, architects, and designers often struggle to reach global audiences due to the lack of a streamlined digital platform that caters to their needs. Additionally, the current market for these products in Ethiopia is fragmented, with no centralized system for secure, global transactions.

Art and ADA is a digital marketplace that leverages the Cardano blockchain to create a transparent, decentralized platform for the sale of art and architectural products. The platform will introduce several features, including auctions, direct sales, digital galleries, and secure payments in ADA.

By using blockchain technology, Art and ADA ensures trust between buyers and sellers, allowing global art collectors and architecture enthusiasts to purchase unique Ethiopian creations with full transparency. Smart contracts will govern the auction process, enabling bidding, auto-finalization of sales, and secure payouts to sellers in ADA.

Platform Features:

• Auction System: Artists and architects can list their products for auction on the platform. Smart contracts will manage bids and automatically finalize sales once the highest bid is confirmed. This will increase competition, raise the value of products, and ensure timely, transparent payments.

• Direct Sales: In addition to auctions, creators will be able to list their products for direct sale at fixed prices. Buyers can purchase using ADA, with the transaction handled securely via smart contracts that release funds only when the product is confirmed.

• Digital Galleries: The platform will host virtual galleries where users can browse and view art and architectural designs before making a purchase. Galleries will be updated frequently with new products, providing artists and architects the opportunity to showcase their work in an innovative digital space.

• Escrow Service: To ensure buyer confidence, the platform will implement an escrow service. Funds will be held in a secure smart contract until the buyer confirms the receipt and quality of the purchased item, at which point the funds will be released to the seller.

• Payment in ADA: All transactions on the platform will be conducted using ADA, promoting the adoption of Cardano’s native token in the creative industry. The use of ADA will offer low fees, fast transaction times, and secure, transparent payment processes.

• Global Reach: The platform will connect Ethiopian artists and architects with international buyers, expanding their market beyond local boundaries. This will help Ethiopian creators gain recognition and boost the country’s creative economy.

Target Stakeholders:

• Artists and Designers: Independent artists and designers can showcase and sell their work to a global audience. This will provide them with an additional revenue stream and reduce the barriers to entry into international markets.
• Architects and Architecture Firms: Firms or individual architects can offer architectural designs, digital blueprints, or creative architectural products such as 3D models. The platform will enable them to reach new clients and showcase their talent globally.
• Art Collectors and Buyers: Global collectors can purchase unique Ethiopian artwork and designs using ADA. With the auction and direct sales systems, buyers will have a transparent, competitive marketplace to acquire high-quality products.

• The Cardano Community: By promoting ADA usage in a creative marketplace, the Cardano ecosystem will benefit from increased adoption and transaction volumes, positioning ADA as a leading currency for digital commerce.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Artists and architects will benefit from this platform as it empowers them to monetize their work in a secure, decentralized environment. With access to a global audience, they can expand their reach, generate more revenue, and gain international recognition. For the Cardano ecosystem, this project represents an opportunity to diversify ADA's use cases by encouraging transactions in the art and architecture sectors. This not only drives adoption but also showcases the versatility of blockchain technology in promoting culture and commerce.

Impact on the Cardano Community:

• Increased ADA Transactions: By facilitating the sale of art and architectural products using ADA, the platform will increase the volume of transactions on the Cardano blockchain. This will directly contribute to the utility and liquidity of ADA.

• Real-World Blockchain Integration: Art and ADA will highlight how blockchain can be integrated into non-technical, culturally significant sectors such as art and architecture. This will inspire further innovations within the Cardano ecosystem and demonstrate blockchain’s broad applicability.

• Community Engagement: The project will engage Cardano enthusiasts, artists, and collectors alike, fostering a global community around the exchange of creative goods using ADA. The resulting cross-cultural interactions will enrich both the Cardano and Ethiopian creative ecosystems.

How We Will Prove the Impact:

• Transaction Volume: We will track the number of ADA transactions processed through the platform. Each purchase and auction will contribute to the total transaction volume on the Cardano blockchain, directly benefiting the ecosystem.

• Number of Auctions and sales Completed: The number of successful auctions and direct sales will be a key indicator of platform success. 

User Growth: Monitoring the number of artists, architects, and buyers who sign up and actively participate on the platform will give us insights into user engagement and the platform’s adoption.

• Feedback and Satisfaction: Regular feedback from both sellers and buyers will help us assess how well the platform is meeting their needs. Satisfaction surveys and direct feedback loops will ensure that the platform evolves to meet user demands.

What Makes Art and ADA Unique:

• Art Meets Blockchain: Art and ADA is the first platform to integrate the Cardano blockchain into the Ethiopian art and architecture market. By doing so, it offers transparency, decentralization, and increased security in transactions—key benefits for creators and buyers alike.

• Promotion of ADA: All transactions on the platform will use ADA, encouraging its daily use in creative commerce. The platform’s auction and payment systems will increase ADA transaction volumes, contributing to liquidity and broader adoption.

• Global Marketplace: Ethiopian artists and architects will no longer be limited by local markets. With Art and ADA, they will have access to a global audience, significantly increasing their market potential and allowing them to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Ethiopia.

• Innovative Auction System: The integration of smart contracts for auction-based sales is unique to the platform. It guarantees a trustless system where sales are automatically completed, ensuring efficiency and security for both buyers and sellers.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

The team members possess a diverse range of skills that align with the goals of the proposed project. These skills include blockchain development, smart contract programming, software development, project management, and marketing. The project will leverage the Cardano blockchain's capabilities, and its scalability features, to ensure high-performance and energy-efficient transaction processing. Cardano's robust blockchain architecture and smart contract capabilities make it a suitable platform for the proposed project. Its scalability and low transaction fees are key advantages that will enhance the project's efficiency.

The proposed budget is realistic, with a clear allocation of funds for development, testing, marketing, and ongoing support. This ensures that all aspects of the project have adequate financial backing. Potential risks, such as technical delays, regulatory hurdles, and market competition, have been identified, and mitigation strategies are in place to address these challenges proactively. The team has also outlined contingency plans that include backup development resources and alternative funding options if required to maintain progress.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Planning and Research (Months 1-2)

Milestone Outputs

• Finalize platform requirements, gather user input from artists, architects and collectors and determine regulatory compliance.

Deliverables 

• Detailed data of user needs and preferences 

Acceptance Criteria

• Compiled data of measured and analyzed user needs and feedback 

Backend and Smart Contract Development (Months 3-4):

Milestone Outputs

• Develop the core platform backend, focusing on auction management and payment processing using ADA. 

Deliverables: 

• First step of the backend and Smart contracts 

Acceptance Criteria

• A functioning backend and smart contract

Frontend and UI/UX Design (Months 4-5):

Milestone Outputs

• Build the user interface for easy navigation, browsing, and purchasing of products. 

Deliverables 

• Web and mobile-friendly UI/UX to ensure accessibility for all users.

Acceptance Criteria

• Functional frontend interface with features such as auction, sales and bidding linked with the backend
• URLs for the demo version of the backend

Alpha Testing (Month 6)

Milestone Outputs

• Test the platform with a select group of artists, architects, and buyers. Collect feedback on the user experience, transaction process, and auction functionality.

Deliverables

• Data from the stakeholders for further improvement and to be analyzed

Acceptance Criteria

• Alpha release exclusively for testers
• A structure and statistical data of testers 
• List of fixed bugs during alpha testing

Public Launch (Month 7):

Milestone Outputs

• Finalize and launch the platform to the public with an initial collection of art and architectural products. 

Deliverables

• Promote the platform through partnerships with local galleries and architectural firms

Acceptance Criteria

• Final output submission
• Report of early user engagement and transaction volume

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Dawit Wujra

Project Leader 

Bachelor in Architecture and Urban planning 

Yeabsira Abebe

Fullstack developer 

BSC in software engineering 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qMDUAicpqhvLqajA7AIFeuZDs4J7Pgi4/view?usp=drive_link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeabsira-abebe-b1705723b/

Dagim Tizazu

Fullstack developer 

BSC in software engineering 

https://my-portfolio-two-tau-95.vercel.app/ 

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Development Costs:

• Backend Development and Smart Contracts: 8,000 ADA
• Frontend Development and UI/UX Design: 7,500 ADA
• Testing and Security Audits: 3,000 ADA

Marketing and Community Outreach:

• Digital Marketing and Promotions: 8,000 ADA
• Partnership Development with Galleries and Firms: 5,500 ADA

Legal and Compliance Costs:

• Legal Consultations for Regulatory Compliance: 12,000 ADA

Operational and Maintenance Costs:

• Ongoing Platform Maintenance and Customer Support: 14,000 ADA

             Contingency and Miscellaneous Expenses: 6,500 ADA

Total: 64,000 ADA

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

Art and ADA is a value-driven project for the Cardano ecosystem, aiming to promote ADA in the art and architecture sectors. By enabling global sales using ADA, the platform will generate significant transaction volume, drive liquidity, and demonstrate the versatility of blockchain in creative industries. The cost structure reflects the investment needed to ensure a robust, secure platform that benefits both the Cardano community and Ethiopian creators.