Funding in the Commons: Why Ecosystem Awareness is Foundational
Understanding your ecosystem — who’s doing what, where trust flows, and how your work fits in — is foundational to accessing funding using decentralised frameworks.
Richelle Steyn
Founder of Art Stoke Commons — where resistance art meets systems change. Blending creativity with code, I explore how decentralised frameworks and cultural production can shape new economies rooted in meaning, dignity, and social impact. Art is my activism, Web3 is my toolkit, and disruption is part of the design.
Designing Systems We Can Trust: The Case for Decentralised Frameworks
On Jan 3, 2009, Satoshi embedded this headline in Bitcoin’s very first block:
“The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.”
This wasn’t just a timestamp—it was a message. A warning. A mission.
The Corruption of Academia: How Highly Educated Professionals Fail Society
This is not an argument against education—but against its hollowing out. Against the idea that credentials equal credibility. Against the polite and polished consensus that keeps us circling the same failing paradigms.
The Way We Fund Is Broken
Why centralized philanthropy is failing us — and how decentralized design is building the future of funding from the ground up.
Decentralizing Art Funding: How Blockchain Creates Transparent Ecosystems
The future of art funding doesn't lie in replicating old systems with new tools - it lies in reimagining the entire framework.
Why Gen Z Is Driving the Digital Future of Art
As Generation Z continues to influence the cultural landscape, the digital realm offers limitless possibilities for artistic expression, collaboration, and innovation. The fusion of technology with creativity is not just a trend - it represents a fundamental shift in how art is experienced and valued. By embracing digital platforms, artists can reach global audiences, challenge traditional boundaries, and contribute to a more inclusive and socially conscious art world. The future of art is digital - dynamic, diverse, and deeply connected to the evolving pulse of our time.
15 Ways Blockchain & Digital Art Solve Real-World Problems
In a world increasingly shaped by technology, blockchain and digital art are proving to be more than just innovations - they are solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in art, culture and society. From democratizing access and protecting intellectual property to fostering inclusivity and transparency, blockchain is reshaping the art world.
Future Trajectories: Navigating the Commons Economy in South Africa
The Commons Economy is a vision of society that prioritizes individual freedom, data sovereignty and ecological stewardship. Here, communities thrive in a network of decentralized systems where technology is used to empower, not exploit. Governance is shared, privacy is protected and resources are allocated to support collective well-being.
Another Ten Ideas too Dangerous to Share: Patterns, Paradoxes and the Path Forward
In this follow-up, we delve deeper into another ten transformative ideas that threaten to upend the status quo. From questioning the morality of AI-driven warfare to envisioning decentralized alternatives to economic growth, these ideas reveal the fault lines of our time.
Maximizing Revenue and Reach: A Guide to Digital Art Licensing using NFT Smart Contracts
The diverse licensing options available in the digital art and NFT space present both opportunities and challenges for artists. By strategically choosing between personal use, commercial use and IP rights licenses, artists can enhance the value of their work, reach new markets, and create more dynamic engagement with their collectors.