Next-gen arts community, built on ActivityPub

What we are seeking:

• We would like to support the creation of a “Next-gen Deviant Art” for a new generation of artists, that taps into the best of the peak DA era, with $10,000 in seed funding. You will not be giving up any ownership/equity in the project in exchange for this funding
• In order to qualify for our seed funding, the app needs to be “federated” using ActivityPub. You’ll explain what you think that means
• This may be a new project, starting from scratch, or an existing project or community already underway that is looking to add ActivityPub support. You may also propose a completely decentralized alternative of federating sites which together act as the equivalent of DA
• The most important and hardest part here will be creating a true community and an active user base. Artists that are excited to create their gallery and connect with others etc etc. Explaining how you will get the word out, build that community, how you’re connected to an artist community, will be the most important part of your application
• We are launching this initiative because we believe ActivityPub and the fediverse present the last(?), best opportunity to reboot the web on newly decentralized foundations. We see a future where, in a few years, there are thousands of online communities and +100 million active users on the fediverse. Building your social web site or community on ActivityPub foundations offers many benefits — here’s one great primer.

Application deadline: Tuesday June 4, 11pm PT - SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED INDEFINITELY - WE ARE STILL ACTIVELY SEEKING THE RIGHT PROJECT TO SUPPORT!

Please submit your application via email to [email protected]

Logistics:

• Please join the #defiant channel on the Mammoth Discord server to chat with other interested applicants, ask questions etc: https://discord.gg/AXxDXuX49d
• There will be a live Q&A session on Friday May 31 from 11am-12pm PT, where we are available to answer questions, provide clarifications etc:

Defiant Q&A Friday, May 31 · 11:00am – 12:00pm Time zone: America/Los_Angeles Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rur-hzny-yxa Or dial: ‪(US) +1 662-532-2271‬ PIN: ‪704 346 509‬# More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/rur-hzny-yxa?pin=1218408462323

• Finalists will be interviewed (over Zoom) during the week of June 10
• We plan to announce a winner in mid-June
• We will disburse the $10,000 in two $5,000 installments. See below for details
• If, in our sole discretion, we conclude that there is no sufficiently compelling proposal, we will keep this RFP open for up to 30 additional days