Tezos Foundation and Champ Medici Announce First Cohort of Recipients for $1 Million Arts Fund
Champ Medici, in partnership with the Tezos Foundation, today announced the successful selection of the first cohort of exceptional creatives who will receive funding and support through the Champ Medici Arts Fund.
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Left: Laurie, In Studio Recording, 2023. Photographed by Ashley Williams. / Middle: Uzumaki Cepeda, (FUR)niture; Ottoman, 2023. NFT to be minted on Tezos as part of Champ Medici Arts Fund initiative. / Right: Malachi Wright, Amerikaz Most Wanted_ Redemption; Amerikaz Most Wanted. 2023. NFT to be minted on Tezos as part of Champ Medici Arts Fund initiative.
Zug, Switzerland - 5 September 2023
Cordell Broadus, also known as Champ Medici, in partnership with the Tezos Foundation, today announced the successful selection of the first cohort of exceptional creatives who will receive funding and support through the Champ Medici Arts Fund. This $1 million initiative is dedicated to empowering and fostering emerging artists in their creative journey, enabling them to reach new heights and make a lasting impact on the global creator community.
Laurie, In Studio Recording, 2023. Photographed by Ashley Williams.
The Champ Medici Arts Fund is at its core a philanthropic effort in partnership with The Tezos Foundation to support emerging and legacy musicians and creatives across the globe on the Tezos blockchain. Launched at Art Basel Miami in 2022, the fund was inspired by Cordell Broadus’s vision to provide up and coming artists access to innovative forms of artistic expression and opportunities to unlock their true potential. The selection committee has identified a group of diverse and remarkable artists, each showcasing a unique perspective and creative flair. The Tezos blockchain was chosen for its rich artistic community, it’s energy-efficiency, and its pioneering efforts to drive creativity and innovation in web3.
Malachi Wright, Amerikaz Most Wanted_ Redemption; Amerikaz Most Wanted. 2023. NFT to be minted on Tezos as part of Champ Medici Arts Fund initiative.
“This first cohort of the Arts Fund is a testament to our commitment to diverse artistic expression. By uniting creators across mediums, we forge a legacy where art and music converge, echoing the essence of human creativity,” said Cordell Broadus aka Champ Medici. “Art has the power to transcend boundaries, and we are thrilled to support these gifted artists and continue building future collaborations within the Tezos ecosystem.”
The selected creatives for the first cohort represent a wide range of artistic disciplines, from traditional to contemporary, and are poised to make a significant impact on the art world. Their passion and dedication to their craft were evident in their applications, making the selection process both challenging and inspiring.
Reggie Couz, In Studio Recording, 2023
The recipients of the Champ Medici Arts Fund’s inaugural cohort are as follows:
Laurie Marqueton presents 1-800-GOODTIME
A vibrant, upbeat track Laurie used to express herself as the artist she aspires to be without the controls and limitations placed on her by society, culture, and being an AAPI woman in the industry.
Uzumaki Cepeda presents (FUR)NITURE
A collection of ten faux fur furniture pieces centered around giving people a sense of safety and comfort through physical and digital objects and space.
Malachi Wright presents Amerikaz Most Wanted: Redemption
Representing rappers from the west coast, particularly those from Death Row Records, this collection gives each piece an Old Western cowboy theme while still holding elements that are significant to each featured artist: YG, Nipsey Hussle, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, and Dr Dre.
Cory Anne Roberts presents PINUP PACKS
A collection of digital trading cards featuring retro pinup style imagery. The 3D cards rotate to the backside where interesting facts about each model are presented in both text and audio format.
Reggie Couz presents Sweet Melanin
An important part of Reggie’s creative practice is honoring the women in his community, which has led him to writing Sweet Melanin- a song that’s completely dedicated to the beauty that Black women exude. This NFT project will be centered around uplifting and celebrating Black women, and creating art around them that amplifies their beauty and culture.
“Supporting emerging artists is an investment in the future of creativity and culture,” said Valérie Whitacre, Head of Art at Trilitech, the London adoption hub of the Tezos ecosystem. “The Champ Medici Arts Fund will drive a positive impact on the creative community and foster a platform where international, underrepresented musicians and creatives can flourish.”
Uzumaki Cepeda, (FUR)niture; Ottoman, 2023. NFT to be minted on Tezos as part of Champ Medici Arts Fund initiative.
Tezos, an energy-efficient blockchain has garnered global acclaim as the blockchain of choice for artists and institutions looking to mint NFTs sustainably and responsibly. Propelled by the launch of the first marketplace “Hic et Nunc”, the creator community has developed organically since 2021 and has inspired artists around the world to mint and collect art on Tezos.
The platform and its original community has been joined by other marketplaces focusing on generative art, music, blockchain based creative content and much, much more with tens of thousands of participants making, collecting and celebrating art without the original plug of corporate support. No other blockchain has this type of organic creator-economy or motivation to create art for art’s sake.