In the bustling realm of creative publications, our platform has become a beacon for grassroots creators, providing a space where talent flourishes and ideas take flight. As a small, independent team, we pride ourselves on our dedication to nurturing a thriving community of artists, writers and visionaries. Over the years, we have upheld our commitment to keeping all our platform features free and offered free or donation-based print publications. However, as our community has grown exponentially, we face the unprecedented challenge of managing the overwhelming influx of submissions and supporting our endeavours financially. To sustain and enhance the quality of our platform, we have made the difficult decision to implement a minimal project fee. This post delves into the reasons behind this decision and the positive outcomes this will bring to the creative landscape.

Fostering Creative Opportunities:

The Project feature opens up a world of possibilities for our community members. By charging a nominal fee, we can now offer our contributors a broader range of creative opportunities, such as prizes, collaborations, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, networking events and studio sessions. These initiatives promote cross-disciplinary connections and enrich our community members' creative experiences, allowing them to grow artistically and professionally.

Sustaining Publications:

As part of our commitment to showcasing diverse and thought-provoking content, we have always believed in offering our publications for free or by donation. However, to maintain the quality of these publications, we need the financial support that the project fee provides. By investing in printing and distribution, we can continue to deliver captivating works to our readers and a regular publication schedule for members while upholding our ethos of accessibility.

Empowering the Grassroots:

Beyond supporting our team and publications, the project fee also enables us to invest in our community's growth. We understand the potential of grassroots creators and their ability to shape culture and society. By generating additional revenue, we can offer exciting incentives such as prizes, job opportunities, internships, grants, and residencies to aspiring artists. These initiatives validate their talents and empower them to pursue their passions.

As our platform has grown, so has our responsibility to nurture and sustain the creative endeavours that flourish within our community. The decision to charge a minimal project fee has not been taken lightly, but it is necessary to ensure that we continue to provide a space where creativity thrives. By supporting our small, dedicated team of editors, fostering creative opportunities, sustaining our publications, and empowering creators, this fee brings many benefits that will elevate our platform to greater heights. Together, we will cultivate an ecosystem that celebrates the power of imagination and transforms artistic vision into reality. 

Let's keep growing,

Danny Shah