The ArtSuite Multi-Chain NFT Events

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our recent prototype event, hosted at our Hotel Ginebra, Barcelona, on 14 May 2022.

OUR SOLUTION

Conceptualise artist events based on what we learned with our recent prototype event. 

Create standardised educational material in the most spoken languages in the world, that can be used in any future event under the The Art Suite umbrella. 

We have a concept of artist agents that we will activate as soon as the new version of our platform comes out at the start of July. 

The agents will have access to the educational material and guidance on how to connect to local artist collectives and local artists that are creating NFTs on any blockchain, as well as to important institutions. 

https://theartsuite.io/pages/get-listed-on-nfthubs-io-agents

- information on our programme in English, Spanish, Japanese, and Italian

Our latest event:

As the first business in the world to accept ADA as payment, back in 2017, here at Hotel Ginebra, Barcelona, we have been working for years to raise and spread awareness of Cardano’s innovative solutions, and offering of an environmentally sustainable financial and social infrastructure. Not one to rest on our laurels, on May 14 2022, we hosted a prototype hybrid event at Hotel Ginebra Barcelona in collaboration with the Zohart Artist Collective. 

Guests consisted of artists, art galleries and Cardano and multi chain crypto community members in Barcelona. 

We had a large screen video presentation of blockchain, Cardano, and (C)NFTs. 

Artists had 1 on 1 workshops and Anthony Roberts supported attendees in creating their first ADA wallet.

Logistic support was provided by other projects from the Cardano ecosystem; The Art Bank and Monet Society.

Why is it important?

The artists present at our event were a mix of those that are already selling their NFTs on other blockchains and those that are completely new to NFTs.

From the artists that we met that are already selling their art on other blockchains like Tezos or Polygon, approximately 10% had ever heard of Cardano.

We did not come across one single artist that had made a conscious choice of another blockchain over Cardano. They simply had never heard of Cardano. 

When we explained what Cardano is, how the ecosystem works, what the guiding principles are, what Catalyst is, and what advantages there are to creating NFTs on the Cardano blockchain over other competitor blockchains, the artists’ reaction was 100% positive.

At the same time, it was also very informative to hear about the artists’ experiences of creating art on other blockchains.

One of the lessons we learned during this event is that at future events we will also go and specifically invite artist members of other blockchain ecosystems and bring everybody together under one roof and integrate everybody into one happy NFT family. 

We have also learned from our collaboration with the Zohart Gallery artist collective and the more than 400 artists they represent is that there is also a huge category of artists that are interested in NFTs but simply have no idea where to start.

There is therefore a huge potential of future Cardano users and NFT creators that are just waiting for somebody to come and explain the concept of blockchain in general and obviously the superior technology of Cardano in particular. 

We have also learned that with proper guidance, most artists are very open to being taught and guided into the Cardano ecosystem. Artists that have a following and will then exponentially spread the word about Cardano, about what Cardano stands for and in particular about Cardano NFTs.

Here are a few examples of artists that attended the event that had either interacted with NFTs on other chains or in one case new to the concept and never heard of Cardano:

Twitter handles:

@TransformingMay

@sara_nmt

@eslicerartnft

Instagram ✌️: @controforma.camp 

[IMPACT] Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.

As far as the this challenge category is concerned, we think it is very important that artists learn about Cardano before they are exposed to other blockchains, for obvious competitive reasons.

Having said that, in our recent prototype event, we did not portray any other blockchains negatively.

On the contrary. First and foremost we tried to make it clear that blockchain technology as a whole is a tool to make a slightly better world and that everybody is welcome to try their luck on other blockchains as well, and that integration and interoperability are essential into making a lasting difference in the artist’s world.

WHY IS THIS CHALLENGE NEEDED?

• Artists need to be introduced to a new way of creating revenue.
• Tribalism & maximalism are harmful.
• We are in the multi-chain future.
• Interoperability is the key.
• We need initiatives to increase communication, coordination and collaboration between chains.
• We have common challenges. Let’s solve those together.
• NFThubs / The Art Suite (nfthubs.io and soon theartsuite.nft) is an artist launch platform with a social mission. We support a range of projects around the world in the spirit of Cardano and all artists from other chains are welcome and needed to create a global family of artists with a Big Heart.

Why is this problem important? 

• Art is a common denominator that lives in every human being. Art is therefore not limited to boxes but by nature transcends. So art is a perfect vehicle to bring people together, in this case people that have been divided into boxes of “belonging” to a certain blockchain. We aim to free people of their boxes and take the artist forward on their journey into a heterogeneous art and NFT community

• Gap/unmet need - as far as we know there are no educational and introductory events to art and NFTs on Cardano or to explain about the possible interoperability of art blockchain ecosystems in Barcelona, or in any other city that we are aware of.

• Root Cause - this is nothing strange because after all NFTs on Cardano have only existed a little over a year. The available core technology has only just developed to a point where it makes sense to create tools to educate.

How big is the potential market?

The potential market is unlimited. There are artists in every village or city in the world. By conceptualising this type of event, there is literally no limit to the amount of people we can reach and impact positively.

What have we already accomplished and how much has been spent out of pocket prior to the proposal?

This prototype event was self financed. We spent between 4000 and 5000 euros on catering, marketing, photographs, video crews, and the creation of educational material.

Opportunity:

Why is the problem solvable?

The problem as stated at the beginning of this proposal is the following:

"Lack of a Cardano focused, hosted and structured events programme introducing artists, and catalysing multi chain collaboration."

The problem is solvable because we have understood all the necessary components to turn these type of events into a scalable success:

1. We are very well connected in the Cardano community all over the world as OGs with Hotel Ginebra aka Cardano Hotel in Barcelona
2. We have connections to art galleries and artist collectives all over Europe where we envision doing future events
3. Information about the Cardano ecosystem in general and Cardano NFTs in particular is widely available. We will create standardised education material that can be used at every event.

WHAT WOULD THE WORLD LOOK LIKE IF WE SOLVED THIS PROBLEM?

In short, we feel that we can help bring about a digital art revolution on Cardano which will positively impact countless lives of people all over the world. Opening up a world of opportunities in the digital economy and new livelihoods that enable people to do what they love and love what they do.

We can help bring together artists and communities (already belonging to other blockchain ecosystems or not belonging to any such ecosystem yet) in numerous locations all over the world, which will in turn equip, enable and empower ambassadors of a message of unity and togetherness, the pillars that Cardano founded on. 

So the world would definitely become a slightly better place. Art is everywhere. Art lives all around us, and creates beauty in our lives at almost every moment of our existence, often without us being aware of it. 

[IMPACT] What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?

The main challenge we foresee in delivering this project consists of not doing things in the right order. 

For future events to be successful, it is very important that we learn from the prototype. We now know that we need to have our educational material ready and easily accessible for all guests and that there needs to be a separate space and time for the artists to be able to sit down with the team that organises the event, to be able to absorb the information we provide about blockchain technology as a whole and the Cardano blockchain, and its philosophy of interoperability in particular.

What is also important is that at each event, the organising partners are selected carefully and with certain criteria to determine their capacity to deliver, for example in the quality of their communication with their artist communities.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed plan, including timeline and key milestones for delivering your proposal.

The necessary steps we will take to organise successful educational cross chain events are the following:

1. Create a team that consists of X people. Team needs to have essential skills and experience, such as communication and presentation skills. Team members would ideally have experience and contact in other blockchain communities!
2. Create standard educational material in several languages, both written and in video format.
3. Find a suitable venue in the city the event will take place. 
4. Find suitable, skilled and reliable partners in the city the event will take place.
5. To develop the prototype of our first event into a standardised event format, we are currently in talks with partners here in Barcelona to create another event in October. This event would take place in a much larger venue. 
6. At the first event, traditional artists were exposing their art on the walls. At following events, NFT art will be exposed on the walls in NFT digital screens.
7. Where event number one was a one day affair, this evolution of event will take place for several weeks and will have a much larger outreach.
8. We are in talks with sponsors and high level institutions to help us create reach into large art communities.

The roadmap

August - September 2022:

• Put together a playbook for these types of events. Create standard digital educational material.
• Refine a template budget for the creation of an event. Consolidate and build on existing relationships with artist collectives and NFT communities.

October - November 2022:

• Host the first events which will be organised with the new Event Playbook.

From December 2022: 

• Organise at least one event every month in capital cities in Europe

From August 2023: 

• The events are self - sustainable and able to operate at a profit (develop partnerships and sponsorships) and will now extend to other continents like Africa, North and South America, Asia.

Long term vision:

Events become progressively self sustainable:

• Event 2 - 50% financed sustainably
• Event 3 - 80% financed sustainably
• Event 4 - financed by sponsors and self sustainable

The events contribute to collaboration, coordination and communication between various blockchain ecosystems in a phenomenal way.

There was one big takeaway from this prototype event that we have not mentioned yet: you can use social media all you like BUT…there is simply no replacement for bringing people together under one roof and provoking direct communication in a relaxed, fun and informative environment. 

We are still in contact with most of the visitors of the event and they are now helping us penetrate into their blockchain ecosystems by inviting us to other art events everywhere in Barcelona. The networking effect is simply amazing.

Managing workload:

This Fund 9 will be the first time for our Hotel Ginebra and The Art Suite team to propose in Catalyst. We will have multiple proposals submitted this Fund, across categories. We are also receiving support from Sustainable ADA.

Our team are submitting five proposals this Fund 9, as part of a comprehensive approach of not only further developing the technical side of The Art Suite platform, but also to immediately start up our social impact projects which are designed to help further grow the platform by creating interaction with other blockchain ecosystems and employment with The Art Suite in Africa and Bangladesh.

It is therefor important to realise that our five proposals are stand-alone proposals in different categories.  

We feel we can submit these 5 proposals because The Art Suite is fully operational (!). 

(* A big automation and branding update is schedule around July 15).

Each individual proposal is aimed at fortifying and scaling already existing separate initiatives and activities employed by the platform.

Here are links to the other 4 proposals.  

https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/417400

Scaling ArtSuite NFT4Good Platform 

https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/417582

HIre ArtSuite Coordinator in Africa

https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/417628

ArtSuite Cardano Course Bangladesh

https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/417615

ETH NFT Artists->Cardano workshops

As we have a globally decentralised, experienced, multiskilled and diverse team, working across timezones, and connected to various networks and communities, we can tap into our multiple connections and resources, to ensure we have a sustainable approach to managing our workload if we are to receive funding from Catalyst.

Here is a link explaining how Razali and Sustainable ADA, who are actively working on previously funded proposals and supporting this proposal, shall manage their workload:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SdUYlUODbPxgipIHgZ5uQDO3MoksnIqdONU1MGm5Uvw/edit?usp=sharing

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown.

The funding requested is needed to set up a team that will further conceptualise this type of event, then identify new destinations, identify the The Art Suite artist agents in other cities and organisations that we can collaborate with.

We also need to reach out to sponsors, create mechanisms whereby this type of event will pay for itself and become profitable. 

One of the main goals of the team will be to immediately identify artist communities in other cities that thrive on other blockchains and to reach out to them to start building bridges and inspire and create interoperability.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN ESTIMATE BASED ON THE COST OF THE PROTOTYPE EVENT.

IT IS TO BE EXPECTED THAT COSTS WILL BE FINE TUNED AS MORE EXPERIENCE IS GATHERED

Proposed budget for team salary:

1 person full time on the central event organisation team at 1500 US$ per month = 18000 US$ in one year. 

ONE TIME EXPENSES:

Creation of standard Event Playbook with educational material : 2000 US$

PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 1 ACTUAL PHYSICAL EVENT:

Advertisement = 500 US $

Event Staff = 500 US $

Renting a suitable space = 500 US$

Travel Expenses = 500 US$

Catering = 1000 US$

Technical equipment = 2000 US$

TOTAL = 5000 US$

14 events x 5000 US$ = $70000

This would allow for 14 events of this scope and scale to take place in different cities in Europe in one calendar year. 

Of course it is possibly that there might be events that last longer and expenses would vary according.

The budget for the events is adaptable according to the size and scope of the event and is expected to be optimised as more experience is gathered.

Costs incurred out of pocket to date:

Approximately 4500 Euros for prototype event held at Hotel Ginebra Barcelona on 14 May 2022

Other sources of finance secured/being targeted:

We are in talks with other projects who are targeting big brands in a B2B formula.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide details of the people who will work on the project.

https://theartsuite.io/pages/team

Alfred Moesker - Co-Founder & CEO

One of Cardano's renowned OGs is Alfred Moesker. In 2017 his Hotel Ginebra in Barcelona was the first business in the world to accept ADA as payment. www.hotelginebra.com.es

Stakepool operator of ‘HOTEL’, 25 years experience in the tourist business, managing and network skills. Since then he has contributed to the ecosystem with the Cardano Hotel Podcast and the Cardano Artist Corner, created the The Art Suite and recently partnered with Nazmul Biplop to set up charity food programme Thought For Food in Bangladesh. In September 2021 the "Cardano Hotel '' was sponsored by the Cardano Foundation and World Mobile as a venue for Goguen Summit.

https://twitter.com/bigezdaddy2017

https://twitter.com/thecardanohotel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfred-moesker-71159320/

Nazmul Islam Biplob - Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer

Graduated from Daffodil International University. Enthusiastic about history, finance, sociology & technology. Worked on various startup. In 2020 I met Alfred Moesker. I was introduced to Cardano and I was totally overwhelmed by the philosophy behind the project and the welcoming community. It was through collaborating and the meeting of minds with Alfred which led to the development of the Thought 4 Food Project in Bangladesh. The aim is to create a sustainable Thought 4 Food Project initially in Bangladesh and eventually globally.

https://twitter.com/DeveloperNaz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnazmulislambiplob/

Tom Wilkinson Co-Founder Innovation Director

Tom is in charge of minting technology and new technologies. Tom is a creative soul who in his ten-year career has worked tirelessly on a myriad of projects. These include designing, promoting and setting a variety of products. With a few years of experience under his belt Tom proceeded to set up several successful companies. Tom is originally a graphic designer but when he found his passion in blockchain technology, Tom was able to combine all the numerous skills he has gathered in different fields and apply them to the development of The Art Suite

https://twitter.com/timonies

Anthony Roberts - Communications Director

"You give a man a fish, he can eat for a day, you teach a man to fish and he can not only feed himself and his family, but he can now teach others to do the same!" I am passionate about being a vehicle to share knowledge, understanding, and engagement that can help to inspire, excite and educate others to live life on their own terms. The world needs more passion!! My vision is using blockchain technology to enable others (that may be mad talented, but not able to live off of their passion) to build, and monetise their passion by making it simple for them to leverage blockchain technology. I am excited to have joined the team at The Art Suite as we all share this vision, and have the passion, integrity and skills to manifest it!

https://twitter.com/gtcryptoant

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-roberts-491037155/

Natalie Attieh - Artist Coordinator

Hello, my name is Natalie Attieh. I was born in Jordan and moved to Canada at the age of 15. I am currently pursuing a degree in Leadership and Organizational Management with a minor in Psychology. During my spare time, I’m an artist dabbling with multiple mediums to express my passion about the art world. The NFT space is one I’m especially enthusiastic about, because of the endless opportunities it has unlocked for creatives and artists around the world. You can also find me on the agent page for both English language as well as Arabic speaking artists. At the same time I am also one of the presenters of the NFThubs Podcast on YouTube.

https://twitter.com/AttiehNatalie

https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieattieh/

Razali Samsudin - Social and Environmental Impact Projects Director

14 years of experience as an interdisciplinary Educator from early years settings to postgraduate level, with a background in social sciences, humanities, and sustainability. Freelance Writer, Editor, Digital Economy, Blockchain, Sustainability and Impact Measurements Researcher (#Blockchain4Good, #Cardano4Good, #NFT4Good), Social Entrepreneur, Catalyst Proposal Mentor. 

Wada UN SDG and Education Coordinator, Co-Founder of Sustainable ADA, Contributor at Cardano AIM, PositiveBlockchain, Cardano4Climate, Catalyst School and Adatruth.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/razali-samsudin

https://twitter.com/SustainableADA

https://twitter.com/Razlosophy

Elisa Farre - Artist Agent Coordinator

University degree in labor sciences and labor relations, with several master's degrees in business environment, with more than 15 years of experience. Blockchain enthusiast, she entered the Cardano and NFT world with Alfred Moesker. She is an art lover who has found a new way to enjoy this passion in the digital environment, accompanying artists on her digital adventure.

Contributions from stage 0 of the project with the CEO to detect needs to improve the portal, creation of documentation for operation (contracts with artists and agents, questionnaires to resolve doubts). External view of the portal, external point of view as artist/agent/visitor, provide improvements to the structure of the portal. Recruitment, including face-to-face, of artists from the non-digital world (painting, sculpture), answer questions from artists about the blockchain, NFT and Cardano. Wallet advice. Representation of artists physical work and agent in NFT.

https://twitter.com/elisafarre

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisafarre/

[FEASIBILITY] If you are funded, will you return to Catalyst in a later round for further funding? Please explain why / why not.

If this proposal is funded, we aim to progressively work to a sustainable model so that our events are self - financed, as explained in the Feasibility Detailed Plan. Nonetheless, we cannot be 100% certain as to whether or not we will return to Catalyst in a later round as we seek to scale further afield globally in the long term.

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or any member of your team working on any other proposals in this Fund9?

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or your team working on any other proposals from previous Funds?

[AUDITABILITY] Please describe what you will measure to track your project's progress, and how will you measure these?

The auditability of the project will be provided by:

Website published updates (blog section) where we will provide information on:

-Number of events

-Number of attendees

-Number of new artists of other blockchain ecosystems on the platform as a direct result of events

-Number of new parties interested in purchasing

-New Partnerships

Youtube Channel - videos

[AUDITABILITY] What does success for this project look like?

Success would look like this:

• Having created a team to create a structure for a self sustaining model of cross chain event that can be replicated and adapted all around the world

• Keeping the first such event here in Barcelona as an ongoing event, and making it generate enough income to enable organising future events

• Help bring about a digital art revolution on Cardano which will positively impact countless lives of people all over the world

• Opening up a world of opportunities in the digital economy and new livelihoods that enable people to do what they love and love what they do

• Help bring together artists and communities (already belonging to other blockchain ecosystems or not belonging to any such ecosystem yet) in numerous locations all over the world, which will in turn equip, enable and empower ambassadors of a message of unity and togetherness, the pillars that Cardano founded on

• Help make the world a better place. Art is everywhere. Art lives all around us, and creates beauty in our lives at almost every moment of our existence, often without us being aware of it. 

[AUDITABILITY] Please provide information on whether this proposal is a continuation of a previously funded project in Catalyst or an entirely new one.

This is a new proposal.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Rating

SDG goals:

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

SDG subgoals:

4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

11.4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage

#proposertoolsdg