Looking at a new funding model for artists

I recently stumbled on a new site called Strayform. It's a really clever idea and I have decided to give it a try. Before I go on, though, I would like to mention that the site is, ummmm, how can I say this without sounding like a jerk? Hm, I can't. Okay, the site is dog-ugly.

Of course, it is only their first version of the site, and they have assured me the look is changing soon. Anyway, now that I have that out of the way I'll get on with the good stuff. The idea is basically this, as an artist you sign up to the site and submit a proposal for what you want to create, then the community funds it and you release the work under a creative commons license.

So as a musician, for example, you say, "Hey, I'm working on a new song about cheese!" Then a bunch of people on the site say, "I love cheese! I'll put in $10 towards that project!" Then, if you get your funding you create your cheesy song and then give it away to the community. The cool thing is that everyone who contributed gets to see your progress and have input along the way. So if you lay down some cheesy beats for the some and they are a bit TOO cheesy, people can tell you to hold the fromage a bit.

Anyway, I posted a video game project there, hopefully I'll get my funding. I think it would be cool to have that sort of give and take with the people who are going to play the game as it is being created.

For anyone else who wants to set up some projects you can see the site at [link]