This came through my radar this morning in a ZAPP email, of all things. I did go to the website, and looked at it briefly. It appears to be an arts focused crowdsourcing resource for artists of all kinds: performing artists, visual artists and crafters, writers, architects...
Fund your next art project with USA Projects
USA Projects is an online fundraising platform brought to you by United States Artists––a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Artists can use USA Projects to showcase their work, build their online presence, and raise funds for new artworks. The program helps artists fund projects by connecting users with an established community of art supporters. Every donation is tax deductible, and every project receives a minimum of 5% of their funding goal from USA Project match funds! Individuals can enroll as artists if they have received an award or honor; if they have a current practice as a professional artist; or if they are enrolled in an accredited art school. Start a project to enroll as an artist today!
The enrollment process is lengthy, and requires that you either have won awards from one of many arts-related organizations (no art shows that I could see, but the list was buried in the application form), or have experience as a practicing artist. It requires you to list three references. They are not looking for amateurs, although there is a section for students and emerging artists.
This site bears watching. There are a number of videos that need to be watched as part of the orientation process, and I bailed before doing that. I have a couple of projects in mind, but as with most grant-writing, they need to be fleshed out before rolling out to the world.
Curious to see what others think of this idea. It is essentially Kickstarter, for artists. They claim a 75% funding rate compared to 45% for other sources.
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I have just made plans to go to Venice for a 5 week period for a photographic project and probably will need to do some crowdsourcing fundraising....I find this very helpful information - not sure yet whether I will crowdsource/fundraise or plan some other thematic approach but appreciate the alert.
Victoria, member Evan Reinheimer did a Kick starter project last year about this time that took him to Australia to do photography. Here's that link: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/my-kickstarter-project?...
5 weeks in Venice! I am jealous ... what's the rest of that story?
I've wanted to spend time there and as I pull back more from the law practice and don't do many shows at all these days, have time to spend wisely = figured a month or so in Venice might give me a new focus....I'm working on project ideas now...thanks for the info.
The platform has been rebranded as HatchFund.
http://www.hatchfund.org
Thanks, I'll check it out...
The people who run this were at the 2012 Zapp conference. That conference had a bunch of sessions aimed at "public art" projects. The organizers seemed to have a passion for bringing art to the streets and supporting emerging artists and finding new opportunities for them. "Hatch" seems to be one of those words like "incubator" that is a buzz word for new business opportunities.
This is interesting information, Jim...I'm not an established artist but I could be considered "emerging". It's nice to know that programs like this are available to artists, thanks for sharing.
Greetings All-
First, many thanks to Jim for posting ZAPP's newsletter article about USA Projects at Art Fair Insiders.
Second, thank you to Connie for inviting me into the discussion.
Now that I have some gratitude out of the way (another type of leftover from Thanksgiving), I want to assure any working/practicing artist that you are welcome to enroll as an artist at www.usaprojects.org. While we might be considered elitist because we only serve artists, we have opened our platform to all artists, including students enrolled at an accredited art school. This is a change from our beta version when we only served artists who had received a grant, fellowship or residency.
There are some other questions in the thread I want to address. If I missed anything, just let me know and I will respond (BTW - the main differentiator between USA Projects and other online fundraising opportunities is that we are compelled by our mission to help artists be successful; we want everyone to know how valuable artists are in our society).
Posting a Project - Yes, it is a "lengthy" process to post a project but we will help you -- thoroughness from the start is key. Our Artist Relations team will work with you as you proceed through the online posting process. They are available by email or phone, whatever works best for you. If you are considering a couple of project ideas, feel free to contact us as we often have insights about which project may be more successful as your first adventure.
USA Fellows - United States Artists has an allied program called USA Fellows that gives out $2.5 M each year to 50 US artists that are selected through an anonymous nomination process. There is no way to apply for these funds. Just keep up the good work.
How is USA Projects funded - we raise annual funds like all non-profits and we have benefited from the support of our founders (Rockefeller, Ford, Rasmuson and Prudential Foundations) and seed money from Kauffman and Warhol Foundation. USA Projects' online platform is a shared fundraising model. We provide match funds of at least 5% for each project and hours of guidance and support. For every $100 raised, the artist will receive $81, USA receives $9, USA Projects receives $7 and $3 covers all bank and transaction fees. We have done several comparisons with other sites and we believe that apples-to-apples you will complete your project at USA Projects with more funds in hand.
Another benefit of our non-profit status - because we are a 501c3 we are able to offer donors tax-deductibility to the extent of the law. What this means for you is that major donors are more comfortable making a big gift to a USA Projects artist. Major donors will help you reach your goal sooner and with less dependence on smaller donors who may require costly perks to make a gift. Controlling your expenses is an important aspect to a successful campaign.
What awards/festivals qualify me as an artist - the long list that Jim mentions has been developed over the 3 years of the website and consists of all organizations that provide individual artist support. If you do not see an award that you have received, you may add it by completing a simple form. Participation in a fair would be provided to us when you enroll as a practicing artist. Because of our partnership with ZAPP, all you need to do is use ZAPP as one of your three references.
We are at your service,
John Spokes
Click my name for info about me.
Thanks for the informative response, John! Really appreciate the insight.
I have noticed a couple of places where it's not possible to edit the application once you've passed that page. I'm thinking I may have messed that up, including not listing ZAPP as a reference. I would not have thought of that. Although ZAPP does not know when you win a major award, only that you've applied to a selection of shows, and perhaps been accepted.
The organization does seem like a great way to start the funding process, and definitely is focused on artists than Kickstarter, for example. Your description of how the monies raised are divided up is interesting. I hadn't realized that the artists only receive 81% of the funds raised. Guess I'll have to up my goal figures!
Thanks again, John.
Sometimes people up their goals. Artists often go over their goal, too. To date, successful projects are raising 114% of their goal. The team will work with you to set a minimum and maximum goal.
My pleasure, Jim.
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