We’d like to extend our gratitude to all community members from the creative field who continue to dedicate their time and effort, regardless of funding availability. Currently, the CDAO treasury consists of 1568 stNEAR, 400 NEAR, 900 USDT, and 22.6B BLACKDRAGRON tokens.
In alignment with our mission to sustain and support creative activities within the NEAR ecosystem, the trustees have decided to allocate the remaining funds to strong creative communities that are still actively building. We believe in rewarding those who deserve recognition for their continuous contributions.
A few straightforward rules:
A DAO needs to present its team, their experience, and what they are building, preferably with a link to their GitHub repository.
Independent existence: Proven track record that a DAO exists independently from CDAO and has a proven history of existence in the last 6 months
High level of NEAR understanding
A DAO needs to demonstrate that its community has been active for at least 3 months (with at least 10 members)
A strong rationale for proposed objectives, requested funds, and NEAR usage
We hope this allocation of funding will extend our support to creative projects and is the best practice to utilize the trust fund.
This is great, but what about a new DAO that started within a month and has over 100 active members, with nearly everyone on Near social and owning a wallet?
Good notice @williamx , thanks for announcement
We are in activity and in 18th of September we are launch an NFT exposition in a big gallery in Ipanema - Rio de janeiro.
These are great news. I would like to let the Creative DAO Trustees that Dao Ashe has various projects that require funding, and that we have been actively building this year.
We are launching a new website, and new social media channels. Dao Ashe has been very busy in the Near ecosystem in the last few months:
We have applied to the Marketing and AI rounds in Potlock, as we fully support public good, and ReFi and AI projects are the heart of Dao Ashé.
We have collaborated with Chill & Shill in their Twitter spaces, and Near’s coolest influencer has these lovely words to say about us.
Paloma Etienne together with Dao Ashé applied to Horizon Accelerator and uploaded a project she would like to present at the next Horizon cohort.
We missed the latest funding window from the HOM for a very dear project of ours for a podcast for women in the Spanish Language: Women in blockchain. And we submitted it to the latest round of Metapool, which will be voted in August. Please, find the project explained in further detail here:
We have also engaged on a series of free arts educational workshops about 3D funded by our Potlock Creatives round.
Paloma has introduced Dao Ashé and Near to Mujeres en las Arts Visuales (Women in the Visual Arts) at an event in the museum Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno, in the Canary Islands.
Mònica Urrutia is part of Dao Ashé council, and with help from our grant from Potlock she has conducted in mid 2024 several workshops in Catalan language where she explored the potential of Near ecosystem as a tool to onboard students into a real blockchain environment. In those sessions students practised with various tools, received NEAR tokens, tracked transactions on Nearblocks, and created social profiles on Near Social. These classes were taught in Catalan as she is keen to strengthen the local web3 community in Catalonia.
The future of Dao Ashé is bright, we are looking into integrating metaverse governance, 3D, AI and NFTs, and we are also interested in using Large Language Models together with 3D avatars in an interactve way. We have a special eye for ReFi and will join a ReFi node to develop use cases in Near.
We also want to progress with our work in Catalan and Spanish to target local communities.
We would love to ask the support of Creative DAO for an ambitious project we are building: Expo Dao Ashé 2024.
1.Project Description
a. What is Expo Dao Ashé 2024:
Expo Dao Ashé 2024 is an NFT Expo/Metaverse and virtual reality project, followed by an in-real-life (IRL) streamed educational and showcasing event in two cities, Madrid and Barcelona, in Spain. It will take place in October 2024. The expo will comprise of four events.
The main goal of Expo Dao Ashé 2024 is to showcase cutting-edge art technologies on the blockchain. It will feature artists from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds who will be onboarded to Near. The Expo will be both an educational arts event that creates materials for the Near ecosystem, as well as an exhibition of artwork from our DAO on Mintbase, with a special focus on gender and racial diversity, to address the lack of women and non-binary people on the blockchain.
b. Dao Ashé’s Mission
Since 2022, Dao Ashé has worked towards empowering and educating artists and activists from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), neurodiverse, LGTBIQ+ communities, and allies. We have established a Discord channel and a strong Twitter presence, and we have conducted free training events, online discussions, and workshops.
DAO Ashe’s artists’ work has been selected in several curated showcases of NFT art: INA DAO, NFTianguis, Near, Tezos, Avalanche and others.
We have been very active in the Near ecosystem, as our profiles show, and we want to continue adding value to the community at large.
We need to cover the creation of a collection of NFTs on Mintbase and the onboarding of artists to Near. We will offer the workshops and showcases of our metaverse and NFT collection in four venues in real-life-events and also streamed online. The venues are Siroco Labs, Madrid Innovation Lab, La Parcería, in Madrid, and Barcelona Activa, in Barcelona.
We are building on the success and acquired knowledge of our Dao Ashé Expo 2023 virtual exhibition and NFT collection, as we are transitioning to IRL events and workshops with funding assistance.
We are applying to Near to pay for a full package of workshops we want to offer our artists and audiences on metaverse building, virtual reality design, NFT minting, social media marketing for artists and public goods platforms such as Potlock. We wish to onboard different audiences, collectors and artists who will learn about Near and public goods.
We plan on advertising extensively on social media, La Parcería’s Instagram has over 20.300 followers alone, and our event will be there will be on a Friday evening, which is a day of maximum attendance.
Madrid Innovation Lab. Barcelona Activa and Siroco Arts Lab have very solid newsletters and mail lists, and they will also send information about our event. Mónica Urrutia has a group of students already enrolled on a web3 course, and they have been learning about Near through her workshops.
We will launch our own social media strategy, and artists participants in the event will reach out too. Our partnership with Chill & Shill and our presence in Near social media will be of the essence.
There will be a Shard dog and QR on entry at each event to encourage wallet creation, and and we expect a minimum of 80 wallets created altogether on the four events (20 per event).
A POAP will also be issued at each event, there will be a live auction with the work of performance artists Chakiñán Mutante and Luisa Ordóñez.
Our new Expo Dao Ashé 2024 NFT collection will feature 15 artists, and we will encourage them to have Stripe connected on their account and educate them to help collectors open a Mintbase/Bitte wallet or a Here Wallet.
Some artists will also learn to create celebratory POAPs of their collections, and free drops for collectors.
We will create a Dao Ashé’s new Twitter account, finalise our website, and will advertise on Near Español and Near_ES Telegram channels, and other Spanish Near Channels which have thousands of users.
Paloma is a multifaceted artist and technology advocate, integrating technology, art, and social justice. As the founder of DAO ASHÉ, she drives innovation, curates experiences, a she promotes Web3, AI, ReFi, public goods and the use of the blockchain to uplift diverse communities.
She has been building in Near actively, and she is an alumni of the Near Research Council first cohort. Paloma is in the council of Dao Ashé.
Paloma suffers a long-life fight with depression, and in her work she explores issues of mental health. She takes special care in her involvement in the Dao, expressing her need to recover from stress from time to time, and delegating tasks when things become too much for her.
Mònica Urrutia Azcón- Barcelona Activa: Web3 and ReFi trainer/evangelist
Mònica is in the council of Dao Ashé, and she has been involved in the Dao and governance from the very beginning of our journey. She actively works to grow the Dao Ashé in the NEAR ecosystem as a ReFi project, and is helping us develop and explore its governance and participatory tools.
She is a passionate advocate for the belief that social transformation will come from digitally self-organising communities using secure and transparent blockchain tools. Mònica aims to contribute to the creation of new, equitable, and socially and environmentally respectful economic models.
For over nine years, she has been teaching social media communication at Barcelona Activa (Barcelona, Spain), and for the past two years, she has been involved in onboarding people to Web3 where she has taught several workshops about the Near ecosystem.
Alma is a Mexican-American artist and educator based in New York. She graduated from SUNY with a BFA and is currently pursuing a Masters in Art Education at CUNY. A CUNY Art Education Community member, Vj Deliria brings digital art and NFTs discussions to her academic field. In 2021, she founded NFTianguis., a Spanish community project fostering learning and digital exploration through collective drops, workshops, and exhibitions. Solidifying her commitment to art, education, and community growth. She is a member of Dao Ashé.
Joseph, also known as JhennyArt, is originally from Ghana but grew up in London and currently resides in Rio de Janeiro. In 2018, he began creating 2D artwork and transitioned into the 3D realm in 2022. His style developed organically from his passions for manga, anime, music (kizomba, salsa, amapiano, neo-soul, hip-hop), black culture, and highlighting the positive influence of individuals who use prosthetic limbs. He believes they are a significant inspiration spiritually, mentally, and physically. He is in the council of Dao Ashé and has conducted several 3D workshops on our Youtube channel sponsored by our Potlock funding.
Joseph is autistic, and he is very vocal about the challenges for black autistic artists in the ecosystem.
Andrea, is the founder of AXMC. She has robust background in web3 technologies and digital transformation, Andrea excels in integrating cutting-edge blockchain solutions into diverse industries. She is passionate about leveraging technology for societal benefit.
She has developed the idea of a “polis” of governance on the metaverse that uses the blockchain. Her objective is to connect immersive worlds in Unity with the functionality of smart contracts.
Karina Senatore, a Latin American woman of Afro-Venezuelan descent, graduated in Creation and Design and completed a Master’s in Ceramic Art and Function. Her professional experience has mainly been as a freelance graphic designer while also working with ceramics.
Her style and inspiration are deeply rooted in Afrofuturism, which she uses as a cultural and artistic tool.
We also want invite two groups of performance artists to participate in the event, photographs and videos taken will be immediately uploaded as NFTs for the visitors to mint at the event, so we will create a live NFT collection which will be auctioned live. This is an experiment on phygital (mix of digital and physical) technology, and we believe that it will wow audiences and collectors alike. In this experiment and the whole event will be streamed and the minting created as it happens.
The artists are Luisa Ordóñez and Chakiñán Mutante , who are stretching the limits between virtual reality, 3D and performance arts, using decolonial language to push the boundaries of independent art and the normative status quo which ignores the Latinx experience and world view.
Chakiñán Mutante
Luisa Ordóñez
4. Success Potential
a. Team Experience:
Our team has experience building a metaverse site in Spatial and creating NFT collections.
We are well versed in harnessing diverse talents and experiences to propel cultural initiatives forward that fully embrace the challenges of Web3 onboarding and the blockchain. Our team embodies a commitment to diversity, social justice, and the empowerment of marginalised communities through Web3 digital arts technologies.
As artists in our own right, we express our creativity through Web3 platforms, leveraging them to amplify underrepresented voices and foster inclusive cultural narratives in the collective projects that we are involved in.
Additionally, our governance structure in Near Astro, operating as a DAO has made us learn a lot about transparency and collective decision-making, aligning with our principles of democratic participation and equitable resource allocation. So we want to explain to our audiences how we work and how Near governance operates.
Our team has substantial experience in Web3 digital arts and marketing for our work, utilising blockchain technology to create immersive and innovative artistic expressions that push the boundaries of traditional art forms and promote inclusivity in digital spaces.
The collection will feature 15 artists that use very different art forms to express themselves, and be believe in the power of NFTs to develop new user cases and articulate the blockchain’s potential.
In our experimentation path, we pursue the many different ways to work with NFTs. To this end we will encourage the public engaging with the blockchain from the beginning of the event by issuing an NFT which will be used as a premium visitors’ ticket with special benefits. The public will be able to quickstart their introduction to Web3 by using a Shard Dog link and scanning a QR code on entry to collect a POAP (and also open a wallet, if needed).
b. Community support:
We have established close associations with several collectives and groups, including La Parcería, Plataforma Placa, and NFTianguis who all empower creators from the Global South in the diaspora.
We are also collaborating with technological partners such as Madrid Innovation, Siroco Arts Lab, and Barcelona Activa. We will work closely with these cultural collectives to provide artists with opportunities to forge new links. The support and enthusiasm from these partners will enrich and propel Expo Dao Ashé 2024.
5. Mission
a. Adoption of Cutting-Edge Technologies Blockchain and NFTs:
We are building on our experience and success with our Expo Dao Ashé 2023 project which included an Afro Latinx & Indigenous Neurodiverse Futurism NFT collection on Near and a metaverse site in Spatial In our Expo Dao Ashé 2023 we created partnerships with other cultural agents and utilised the synergy created in our encounters to develop training events, exhibitions, etc. You can see a quick video here and the full playlist of our gallery events here
We have been working with the metaverse and experimenting with different types of events that could be conducted in that space. We believe that an NFT Expo should experiment with formats and find use cases for NFTs. Our new collection for Near will include digital illustrations, photography, 3D, animation, film, poetry, AI, and music NFTs.
b. Metaverse Integration:
By incorporating a metaverse component, the project leverages the growing interest in virtual and augmented reality experiences. This innovation keeps the project at the forefront of technological advancement and appeals to tech-savvy and curious audiences.
In this project, we will launch the expo on our own metaverse server that will connect our NFTs from our collection. Our NFT collection will be minted on Mintbase, but we have our own server and website where we will install Mintbase plugins, and keep on updating them as Mintbase and Near develop more user-friendly AI products for the blockchain. Other Daos do not have this freedom and range. Our metaverse platform with be the host to other events in the future.
Our collection will include 3D sculptures, and we will rent a 3D printer to print one of the 3D NFTs at the event. We will also feature a video wall to show the metaverse gallery, and visitors will be able to interact with it with mixed reality glasses.
c. Tangible public goods use case:
This project has a tangible use case in its ability to economically empower artists, bridge the digital divide, provide a sustainable and scalable model, and contribute to solving global challenges. It will reward artists for their participation, and also give them an opportunity to earn more money as workshop facilitators in the in-real-life (IRL) event, which will also be streamed over social media.
By fostering a more inclusive and equitable digital space, the project enhances the lives of individual artists and contributes to broader goals of social justice and technological advancement. DAO Ashé 2024 Expo will be a free event. Our wish is to onboard as many people as possible to Near.
6. Does our project solve a problem for the ecosystem?
Dao Ashé 2024 Expo will give voice and training opportunities to BIPOC, LGBTQIA and neurodiverse artists. These diverse communities ought to participate in Web3 because these groups are traditionally marginalised and underrepresented in the digital space. By providing a platform for them to share their thoughts and perspectives, Web3 can create a more inclusive and equitable digital space.
Additionally, this type of participation can lead to the development of innovative solutions to global challenges that may be overlooked if these communities are not given a voice. It is by creating a more diverse digital space that Web3 can help break down the digital divide and provide new opportunities for these communities to participate in the global economy.
6. Competing alternatives
CryptoVoxels/NearHub
Description: These are virtual reality platforms where users can create, experience, and monetise content and applications.
Comparison: While these projects provide a broad platform for various digital experiences, Expo Dao Ashé 2024 focuses specifically on showcasing diverse and underrepresented artists. Also, our Metaverse is on our own server, so we have all the freedom to configure it as we wish.
Great initiative that will undoubtedly boost the ecosystem in Spain, Paloma has been fighting hard for several years to achieve projects like this, bringing incredible initiatives forward.
Such an amazing project that I’m incredibly looking forward to seeing THRIVE! Paloma and the rest of the team keep making strides towards making diverse communities be seen through initiatives like this one. Waiting on NEAR to follow through
I have seen the growth and dedication of DAO ASHÉ in the spanish ecosystem, they deliver what they promise with very few ressources, it’s time they get more recognition and support to propel their work and thus their impact on the community.
Given the size of the funds remaining ($12k min ?- obvs depending on stNEAR) - assume there a $ limit per approved project. Would be good to know before making a proposal- thnx
At today’s value $5.28 / Near
1568 stNEAR = min $8300 - depending on staking reward/age
400 NEAR = $2100
900 USDT = $900
22.6B BLACKDRAGRON tokens = $450
An exceptional team made up of wonderful people, with an immense amount of potential in their aspirations. Will follow it closely and help them with what I can
DAO AShé es una semilla que contribuye a la creación de mundo más equitativo y sostenible apoyándose en el arte, la tecnología y la auto gobernanza. Muy honrada de poder aportar junto a esta comunidad tan comprometida.
Happy to see that so many community members have spoken, and that still various creatives in the ecosystem are putting their projects to work, no matter if the funding is on or not. It’s good to see real builder mentality. Also, I agree with @zeitwarp and @satojandro that the DAO should be supporting individuals too.
Based on Trust’s broad experience, I believe the current funding round should occur on Potlock via QF, which will be the fairest way to reward all applicants in the creatives ecosystem.
I would like to see funding for creatives restored as soon as possible, however, with that said, the best approach to support the creatives community would be QF rounds every quarter.
This proposal for Expo Dao Ashé 2024 is truly inspiring and showcases the innovative spirit of Dao Ashé. The focus on cutting-edge art technologies on the blockchain, combined with the commitment to diversity and inclusion, is commendable. Hosting events in Madrid and Barcelona will not only provide a platform for artists from a diverse backgrounds but also promote the Near ecosystem in a meaningful ways.
I fully support this ambitious project and believe it will make a significant impact in the blockchain and art communities. Best of luck with the funding and execution of Expo Dao Ashé 2024!
