Diversity and Equality in the NFT Space
Diversity and Equality in the NFT Space
How Culture Vault is fostering a vibrant and inclusive community
NFTs are proving to be the next frontier of the art world; a more expansive, diverse, and accessible space than the entrenched hierarchies of traditional art. The decentralized nature of the technology poses fewer barriers for artists who are underrepresented in the traditional market, allowing them to reach audiences more directly, and claim creative and financial control over their work. That’s why at Culture Vault, we’re committed to representing a diverse array of artists and viewpoints, as this openness and accessibility is a key tenet of web 3. We don’t want to replicate the inherent biases in existing art systems, so we’re dedicated to showcasing both emerging and established artists from all walks of life.
Creative industries are sometimes perceived as being more progressive and inclusive than others, and inequality in the arts is often downplayed or overlooked. But in 2021, the Australia Council for the Arts published a report on diversity in the cultural sector with some pretty damning results. The report found that many of those who are most engaged with art and culture in Australia are also underrepresented, under-resourced or under-compensated for their work. For instance, arts and cultural engagement is integral to the daily lives of First Nations Australians, yet they’re often unable to access resources or shape decision-making in the arts. What’s more, Australians in remote areas are twice as likely to have trouble getting to arts events than those living in metropolitan or regional areas, so they’re more often excluded from participation and engagement. At Culture Vault, we recognise that web 3 and NFTs have the ability to shift these power imbalances by helping individuals break the cycle of homogenization, and shifting the paradigm away from centralized cultural gatekeepers.
We’re excited to work with artists from a wide range of backgrounds and help them facilitate their transition to web 3. This includes Dylan Mooney, a proud Yuwi, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander man from Mackay in North Queensland, whose collection of NFTs explores the unique properties of native Indigenous plants. We’re also proud of our collab with The Huxleys, a dynamic duo whose work is saturated with glamorous visuals of androgynous freedom and camp commentary. Part of our group of artists is Chris Yee, who presents a unique perspective of the Asian-Australian creative community, and Ailie Banks, an artistic voice of advocacy for the experience of female-identifying and non binary people. Our ethos of representation is echoed by Harold Hughes, founder and CEO of Bandwagon and thought leader in the NFT space:
“Representation in NFTs comes from education and appreciation. When more artists are aware of the opportunities available in NFTs and more people have the chance to appreciate their work, there will be even more diversity in this space.”
At Culture Vault, we believe it’s imperative to avoid recreating the biases of the existing arts and cultural sectors, to take advantage of the openness and accessibility that NFT and blockchain technology offers, and to champion artists whose voices have previously gone unheard.