FreeArt launches 6 May - Art to the masses
New artist-run intitiative, FreeArt, is launching the first of its artist projects tomorrow (6th May). Ten artists
projects will be released over the course of the day in an effort to crowdfund the required amount to realise their work
on to a billboard in Auckland.
Each artwork has been created specifically for the FreeArt project to fit a 6m x 3m billboard. With artists from around
the world applying, the first ten artists to be selected will strut their stuff tomorrow with more artworks being added
in the future.
The crowdfunding platform at www.freeart.co.nz is the brainchild of Auckland based artist Aaron McConchie and has been specifically setup to raise the funds for each
project by offering rewards for the support of the public in the shape of wallets, bags and even tablet sleeves, many of
which are made from the actual billboard themselves at the end of the project.
When queried on the origins of the FreeArt concept Mr McConchie said, "It is artist run organisation facilitating
contemporary artwork into the public domain, so everyone that travels past gets a glimpse at something special. We have
created FreeArt to be sustainable with the only burden placed on the artists is creating their artwork and when a
project is successful they [the artist] gets paid too".
Like many similar crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter or Pledgeme, FreeArt is offering rewards to their
supporters, all tailored to each campaign with many utilising the actual billboard the artwork was printed on. FreeArt
has teamed up with WAS Bags in Tauranga to produce these custom rewards utilising local artisans to hand cut and sew
each bag.
FreeArt is always looking to work with more artists as FreeArt has no end in sight. Contemporary artists either
established or emerging are invited to apply through the websites Expression of Interest section.
ENDS