Saturday, January 8, 2011

Fund and Follow Creativity


One of the most unique, innovative sites for funding creative projects is Kickstarter. Every month thousands of people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing, explorers... Their slogan is "Fund and follow creativity."

A new form of commerce and patronage, it's not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project. It's "all or nothing funding." Also a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. "Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk."

A founder of Kickstarter said, “It’s not an investment, lending or a charity. It’s something else in the middle: a sustainable marketplace where people exchange goods for services or some other benefit and receive some value.”

The site seems like the perfect place to market new ideas and projects to see if there is a groundswell of interest. Also it helps to get the word out on the nebulous web about artists and their work.

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