Please describe your proposed solution

The Problem: Traditional art structures often limit artists' reach, control, and fair compensation. Artists struggle with:

• Unfair Pay: Low profits due to intermediaries and complex sales models.
• Limited Reach: Difficulty connecting with new audiences and collectors.
• Copyright Issues: Challenges in managing copyright ownership and protecting artwork.

Our Solution: A Cardano-based Decentralized Artist Network (DAN) that empowers artists and fosters a more equitable art ecosystem.

Key Features:

• Secure and Artist-Controlled: Artists retain ownership and manage copyright information within the network.
• Direct Sales and Fair Revenue Sharing: Artists connect directly with collectors, maximizing their profit potential.
• Global Reach and Discoverability: A platform for showcasing art to a wider audience of collectors worldwide.
• Community Governance: Artists participate in shaping the network's evolution through on-chain voting.

Why Cardano?

Cardano's unique features make it ideal for this solution:

• Security and Immutability: Ensures secure storage and verifiable ownership of artwork on the blockchain.
• Smart Contracts: Automates processes like sales and revenue distribution, reducing reliance on intermediaries.
• Scalability and Sustainability: Supports a growing network of artists and collectors efficiently.

Benefits:

• Artists: Increased control, fairer pay, and global reach.
• Collectors: Secure, transparent transactions and unique ownership of digital art.
• Cardano Ecosystem: Expands use cases for Cardano's technology and fosters a vibrant creator community.

Uniqueness:

DAN goes beyond existing art platforms by leveraging blockchain technology to empower artists with true ownership, control, and a fair revenue model within the Cardano ecosystem.

Impact:

DAN can revolutionize the art world by fostering a more equitable and transparent marketplace for artists and collectors. Increased artist income and global reach will contribute to a thriving creative economy.

Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Impact on the Cardano Community

Value Proposition:

The Decentralized Artist Network (DAN) will bring significant value to the Cardano community by:

• Expanding Cardano's Use Cases: DAN showcases the potential of Cardano technology for innovative applications beyond traditional financial services. This attracts new users and developers interested in building on Cardano.
• Fostering a Thriving Community: DAN creates a vibrant community of artists and collectors within the Cardano ecosystem, increasing engagement and collaboration.
• Demonstrating Blockchain Benefits: DAN serves as a real-world example of how blockchain technology can empower creators and disrupt traditional industries, attracting wider interest in Cardano's capabilities.

Measuring Impact:

• Community Growth: Track the number of artists, collectors, and developers joining the DAN platform.
• Cardano Adoption: Monitor the number of Cardano wallets used for transactions within the DAN network.
• Media Coverage: Analyze media mentions of DAN and its impact on the art world and blockchain technology.
• User Feedback: Conduct surveys and gather feedback from artists, collectors, and the Cardano community to assess the project's effectiveness.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open-Source Development: All code, designs, and documentation will be released under an open-source license, allowing anyone to contribute and build upon the project.
• Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the Cardano community through forums, hackathons, and developer workshops to share knowledge and encourage participation in the development process.
• Showcasing Success Stories: Feature artist success stories within the DAN network to demonstrate the platform's positive impact on creators.
• Regular Updates: Provide regular updates on the project's progress, impact metrics, and future development plans through blog posts, social media, and Cardano community forums.

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Capability and Feasibility: Delivering a Trustworthy DAN

Team Composition

• Dagmawit Getachew: Project Lead
• Maikel and Abhijeet :Technical Lead

Validation of Feasibility:

• Market Research: Conduct thorough research on existing art platforms and blockchain-based solutions for the art world. Identify gaps and opportunities for DAN's unique features.
• Technical Proof of Concept (PoC): Develop a basic PoC demonstrating core functionalities like secure artwork storage, NFT creation, and on-chain transactions. This showcases technical expertise and validates the approach.
• Community Engagement: Engage with artists, collectors, and developers within the Cardano community to gather feedback and assess the project's potential adoption.

Trust and Accountability:

• Transparent Budget Allocation: 46,000 ADA allocated clearly (personnel, community, management, contingency). Multi-signature wallets ensure responsible use.
• Open Communication:

Active Online Presence: We'll establish active channels on platforms frequented by the Cardano community (forums, social media groups). This allows for ongoing dialogue, information sharing, and feedback exchange.

Prompt Response to Inquiries: We'll dedicate resources to promptly addressing questions and concerns raised by community members. This demonstrates responsiveness and fosters trust.

Regular Project Updates: We'll provide consistent updates on project progress through blog posts, social media announcements, and community forum discussions. This keeps the community informed and facilitates valuable discussions.

Transparency in Development: We'll share insights into the development process, including challenges encountered and solutions implemented. This fosters a sense of community ownership and builds trust.

Open-Source Codebase:

Development Insights: We'll share insights into the development process, including challenges encountered and solutions implemented. This fosters a sense of community ownership and builds trust.

Open-Source Audits: We'll encourage and facilitate open-source audits of our codebase by the Cardano community. This ensures the security and integrity of the DAN platform, fostering trust and collaboration.

What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Market Validation & Community Building (1 Month)

• Completion of a market research report on existing art platforms and blockchain solutions.
• Development of a comprehensive project website outlining the DAN concept, benefits, and roadmap.
• Establishment of active communication channels within the Cardano community (e.g., forum, social media group).
• Hosting at least one online or offline community event to gather feedback from artists and collectors.
• Acquisition of at least 50 artist sign-ups expressing interest in using the DAN platform.

Milestone 2: Core Smart Contract Development & Functionality (1 Month)

• Development of a functional smart contract prototype demonstrating secure artwork storage on the Cardano blockchain.
• Implementation of core functionalities for artists:Secure artwork upload and management.
• NFT creation for uploaded artwork.
• Documentation of the smart contract codebase and technical architecture.
• Successful unit testing of the core smart contract functionalities.

Final Milestone: Open-Source Release & Future Development Plan (1 Month)

• Release of the entire project codebase (smart contracts, website code) under an open-source license (e.g., MIT License).
• Creation of a detailed development roadmap outlining the next steps for building a fully functional DAN platform, including functionalities like:User registration and onboarding for artists and collectors.
• On-chain NFT sales and marketplace features.
• Governance mechanisms for artist participation.
• Submission of a final report detailing project achievements, community engagement metrics, and the future development plan.

Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

• Current Team:

• Dagimawit Getachew(Project Lead):

• Maikel and Abhijeet (Technical Lead):

• They will be responsible for developing the core smart contract functionalities for secure artwork storage, NFT creation, and potential future functionalities based on the project's progress.

Linkedin Profile:

• Maikel: linkedin.com/in/maikel-ordaz
• Abhijeet: linkedin.com/in/esqu4red

Project Link:

• Maikel:https://takadao.io
• Abhijeet:<https://jeetfolio.netlify.app/>

Planned Additional Team Members :

• Community Outreach Lead: We are actively seeking an individual with strong connections within the art community and experience in artist advocacy. This person will be responsible for building relationships with artists, gathering feedback, and promoting the DAN platform within the art world.

Engaging the Team:

We have already established communication channels with Maikel and Abhijeet and they have confirmed their willingness and availability to participate in the project. We are actively searching for a Community Outreach Lead and will prioritize candidates with the skills mentioned above.

Transparency and Consent:

We understand that Catalyst funding is not anonymous and that team member information will be made public. We have obtained consent from Maikel and Abhijeet for their inclusion in this proposal.

Open Communication:

We are committed to open communication and will maintain active channels within the Cardano community through forums and social media. This will allow for ongoing engagement and potential collaboration with other developers interested in contributing to the DAN project.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

1.Market Validation &amp; Community Building (16,000 ADA):

• Market Research Report (5,000 ADA):

• Research tools (e.g., online databases) - (2,200 ADA)

• Project Lead time (analysis &amp; report creation) - (2,800 ADA)

• Project Website Development (5,000 ADA):

• Website development tools (e.g., website builder platform) - 1,400 ADA

• Project Lead time (content creation &amp; design) - 3,600 ADA

• Community Engagement Activities (6,000 ADA):

• Online community management tools - (1,150 ADA)

• Artist outreach materials (e.g., online marketing costs) - (1,900 ADA)

• Hosting one online community event (e.g., artist webinar) - (1,000 ADA)

• Additional community engagement efforts (e.g., social media promotion) -(950 ADA)

• **Contingency:**Buffer for unforeseen community outreach or website development costs. (1,000 ADA)

2. Core Smart Contract Development &amp; Functionality (23,000 ADA):

• Technical Lead Time (15,000 ADA):
• Smart contract development - (8,000 ADA)
• Unit testing - (2,500 ADA)
• Technical documentation -(4,500 ADA)
• Development Tools &amp; Resources (5,000 ADA):
• Development environment setup - (2,100 ADA)
• Testnet access - (1,300 ADA)
• Cloud computing resources -(1,600 ADA)
• Contingency (3,000 ADA):
• Buffer for unforeseen technical challenges or additional testing requirements.(3,000 ADA)

3. Open-Source Release &amp; Future Development (7,000 ADA):

• Open-Source Release (2,000 ADA):
• Open-source platform fees (1,000 ADA)
• Open-source license fees (1,000 ADA)
• Future Development Roadmap (3,000 ADA):
• Roadmap creation -(800 ADA)
• Research on future functionalities - (2,200 ADA)
• Final Report &amp; Community Engagement (1,000 ADA):
• Data visualization tools - (250 ADA)
• Community engagement activities (750 ADA)
• Contingency :(1,000 ADA)
• Buffer for unforeseen costs associated with open-source release, roadmap development, or final reporting.(1,000 ADA)

Total Estimated Project Cost:46,000 ADA

No Dependencies

How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Value for Money: Decentralized Artist Network (DAN)

The Decentralized Artist Network (DAN) project offers significant value for the Cardano ecosystem, and the proposed budget reflects a cost-effective approach to achieving its goals. Here's how:

Direct Impact on Artists &amp; Collectors:

• Empowers Artists: DAN provides artists with a secure platform for showcasing and selling their work directly to collectors, cutting out intermediaries and increasing artist revenue potential.
• Benefits Collectors: Collectors gain access to a wider range of artwork and benefit from verifiable ownership through NFTs on the Cardano blockchain.

Long-Term Ecosystem Growth:

• Increased User Base: DAN attracts new users to the Cardano ecosystem, artists, and collectors alike, contributing to network growth and adoption.
• Stimulates Innovation: The open-source codebase fosters community collaboration and paves the way for further development of NFT and artist-centric functionalities within Cardano.
• Strengthens Reputation: A successful DAN platform positions Cardano as a leader in innovation and fosters a vibrant creator economy on the blockchain.

Cost Justification:

We've carefully considered costs and ensured they are proportional to the value delivered:

• **Competitive Personnel Rates:**The allocated personnel costs reflect competitive rates for experienced developers and project management professionals within the blockchain industry. We've chosen to dedicate a portion of our team's time to the project, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
• **Cost-Effective Tools:**We've opted for cost-effective solutions for website development, community management tools, and project management software. Utilizing free resources for documentation further streamlines our approach.
• **Open-Source Development:**By releasing the codebase under an open-source license, we leverage the expertise of the Cardano community for future development, minimizing long-term development costs.

Transparency &amp; Accountability:

• Multi-Signature Wallets: Ensure responsible use of grant funds.
• Regular Financial Reports: Provide detailed breakdowns of expenditures.

Overall, the DAN project offers significant value for the Cardano ecosystem, empowering artists, fostering innovation, and attracting new users. Our commitment to cost-efficiency, open-source development, and transparency ensures that the requested budget translates into a valuable and sustainable platform for the long term.