Crowd sourcing proposal
One of the first decisions every crowdfunding proposal must answer is how much money is needed? For my project, the amount can be stated as, “all costs.” I will qualify that by stating my intention is not-for-profit. In this way I intend to avoid the need to declare personal income from the project, neither spending money, nor earning money from it. Successful implementation of the project—to my satisfaction, and that of contributors—is the goal. Briefly, the object is to export a complete exhibit (show) of my paintings.
I am an artist—a painter—not a curator. After funding, my next priority is project management. On a list of my priorities, complete project management tops all logistical details. At this time, I am showing an exhibit of my work. The gallery is located 20 minutes from home. I loaded the work into the cargo area of my car and shuttled it to the exhibit space myself. The exhibit place director met me at the door with a cart. The exhibit was mounted by the gallery. I attended the opening reception after the show was mounted.
"What would I do," I sometimes wonder, "if I was offered an exhibit of my paintings at an exhibit place in Paris?" It would be the most important event of my career, however, I am unprepared to accept the offer at this time. I would not be able to meet my obligations. The logistics are exceedingly difficult, which include crating, handling, shipping, customs, delivery to an exhibit location in a city in a foreign country, and return upon conclusion of the exhibit. I cannot even solicit an exhibit anywhere outside of my home driving radius.
An art exhibit is a social event. It is a “collaboration” of contributors of different—but related—fields of expertise. It is a committee. Under the principle of distribution of labor my obligation is to contribute art. So, I must ask, what part can YOU play? At this point in the project outline, I can only offer participation in the event as primary satisfaction, for you and everyone concerned.
For the project, each painting has a declared value of $1,000.00 for the purpose of insurance against loss. Anyone who contributes that much cash funding, or services to that value, may select any painting from the set exhibited to take home. Delivery may be taken after conclusion of the show. It is my ultimate hope to place my artwork in a private collection. It is the only legitimate way to establish the value of an unknown artist's work.
The price of my painting is what the buyer is willing to pay. Returning to the subject of “collaboration,” promotional expertise is needed by me. I need help with media in the language of the country where the show is exhibited. I do not fear controversy. I hope to cause it. My paintings of homeless persons, sleeping in the streets, are intended to address the human condition. It is an outrage. Those who may be sympathetic are my intended viewers. Handling publicity is a specialty.
To offer confidence, my personal data is available upon request, including income tax returns. I attended several art schools as a student. One of my first honors, after commencement, was a grant from the Pollock and Krasner Foundation. It was for a project quite different from the one I am proposing. The experience taught me the importance of writing a budget, record-keeping, and reporting expenses for tax deduction by the contributor. Business was my college minor.
Ideally, funding in excess of the total would remain in an escrow account, for future exhibits. The matter of international bank accounts is fraught with danger. Financial oversight of the exhibit fund will be needed from the start. If it is a success, some type of limited liability corporation (LLC) may be formed. Every living artist wonders what will become of his oeuvre after his death. I wish the paintings in my estate to transfer to possession and ownership after my death.
Therefore, in addition to logistical support, media, and finance, legal representation may be needed. It is my understanding that contractual issues are resolved by mediation. I am agreeable to anything that does not obligate me for anything I cannot give. There are no liens on me or my estate at this time. I have no criminal record. I am single, never married, and without children. Contributors will not be surprised by competing claims on my estate.
I can provide references for previous exhibits of my art. It has changed considerably since I began. I have exhibited and sold work on-line. It is not how I prefer to distribute my work. Recently, the City of Las Vegas Department of Cultural Affairs purchased three of my oil paintings. My work is not aimed at the retail market, but since the Internet made the global economy possible, I hope to make my appeal to the whole world. Crowdfunding is a revolution in distribution, and the means of advancing my work as an artist.