Virtual Magpie Design

Here are the tentative guidelines for Virtual Magpie’s latest project. We were going to call it the Struggling Artist Project, but I’m not really on that boat — I want to call it the Thriving Artist Project. I bet you’ve already guessed which one wins. ;}

Here’s how it works:

Our intrepid Artist raises donations, which shows that she is confident, motivated, and determined to succeed. The donations show that her work is appreciated and that others support her, and wish to see her succeed!

If the Artist raises $250 in donations, Virtual Magpie matches it and it becomes $500. Likewise, $500 becomes $1000, and $750 becomes $1500.

Each amount is a “tier” that allows us to build the Artist a different kind of site:

• $250 match: Matching $250 to create a $500 site allows us to give the Artist a solid, marketable home on the web with a bio and a handful of gallery images. It’s a small one-page site, but it is exquisitely designed and serves as a base of operations. Now inquisitive minds know exactly where to find the Artist, and view her work.
• $500 match: Matching $500 to create a $1000 site allows us to give the Artist a professional content management system that includes a blog or news area — for regularly updating current fans, and increasing interest from new fans — and an integrated gallery system that allows the Artist to display and add to her portfolio online. There is a learning curve for the Artist here, as she will be able to manage the system herself, but learning curves are exciting!
• $750+ match: Matching $750 to create a $1500 site is where we can expand upwards. At this point we can start thinking about custom functionality and more creative technlogical expressions — and every case will be different.

Why are we doing this? I have wanted to help in this way for a long time, but only after a late-night conversation with Marty did I finally have a way to accomplish it. There are artists out there just waiting for the right opportunity — brilliant, driven, creative minds that can do wonderful things in the world, especially in a place like Youngstown where art is such an important factor in the city’s renaissance. The more we thought about this idea, the more we had to find a way to do it. With these guidelines we can provide a real opportunity without discounting the personal determination and willingness to grow that is required by anyone in a self-driven, creative field. The Artist shows us what she’s made of by raising donations — and in turn, we give her our time, resources and know-how and make something that will really work for her. That’s exciting.

Who are you working with now? Our first choice is Karen Wennberg, who lives and works in Youngstown, Ohio and creates absolutely inspiring pieces. In this case, the Artist has already been motivated enough to create an Etsy store with a unique domain, and the moment we suggested this project to her, she flew into action planning her fund raising measures. At this point, a professional website is essential to her: it shows supporters that she means business. If done right, this will give her the means to expand her audience and make a strong push to further develop her career.

Can I help support your artists? Please do! If you want to see her work, here is Karen’s shop on Etsy: Au Supernaturale. If you love what you see and would like to support her in the Thriving Artist Project, email Karen at this address. Feel free to Digg, del.icio.us or otherwise bookmark this page to help spread the word. We really believe in her, and we want this project to be a success so that we can choose our next artist and continue to make a difference!

More Questions? Email me at megan@virtualmagpie.com for answers. :}