Last week I had the pleasure of talking with Anya, a young, extremely talented digital artist from Myanmar. She makes beautiful, culturally-influenced works, but her pain points of having a difficult time breaking through to the Web3 world is really tragic. She is demoralized by the scarcity of resources and her poor access to high-level technical know-how. The NFT market’s wild west atmosphere compounds her frustrations. Anya’s story is not an isolated case, it’s the usual life story of thousands of rising artists—particularly those who are from Southeast Asia.

Then comes the Doodles' DOOD token launch. The disappointing launch and rapid drop in price, not to mention the soaring devaluation of the collection as an NFT, sounds… all too eerily familiar. It's a stark reminder that hype and speculation alone can't sustain a project, let alone an entire ecosystem. Airdrops can look very tempting because who doesn’t like free money? The question remains, are they actually giving artists true power or are they simply taking them for a short-term joy ride?

The Doodles episode, as sad as it is, creates a helpful opening for that shift in focus. It’s time to go beyond the flavor of the month and create lasting infrastructures that truly encourage new and developing artists. Here are three ways we can do that:

DAOs Fuel Artist Empowerment

Envisioning DAOs as more than just governance tools, but as development platforms for new artistic talent. Think about it: decentralized autonomous organizations, powered by the community, directly funding and mentoring artists. Move away from dependence on gatekeeping platforms and DAOs could fund grants, marketing efforts, and help match artists with collectors.

I've seen this model work firsthand. As we speak, nascent artist DAOs are already taking root in Southeast Asia, where they are pooling capital and creative knowhow to support their fellow members. These DAOs aren’t just pools of money—they’re communities. They provide a productive environment for artists to workshop, network and test ideas through new collaborations. They’re incubators where artists can receive direct, raw feedback versus just a one-time press like on social media.

Genuine decentralization. For DAOs to work, community should genuinely come first, rather than being an afterthought to a coterie of insiders. They need to prioritize transparency and accountability. And they need to be committed to long-term sustainability and stewardship, beyond the quick wins. As it relates to a house, making sure you have a good strong foundation is very important. The same goes for communities in web3.

Skill-Sharing Bridges the Knowledge Gap

It’s confusing, convoluted and very intimidating — no less for artists who don’t have the technical know-how. And we have to do more than just fix this knowledge gap by building systems that enable more peer-to-peer skill-sharing.

Consider it a modern-day digital apprenticeship. Build a network for artists and creatives that will connect them with the developers, marketers, and legal experts who can help navigate the process. Imagine a platform where an artist struggling with smart contract coding can connect with an experienced developer willing to volunteer their time. Or where a gifted author can join forces with a masterful publisher to get their books into the hands of kids who need them most.

These platforms should be accessible, inclusive, and user-friendly. They should prioritize mentorship and collaboration. They need to provide an incentive for people to participate by compensating contributors with tokens or some other form of acknowledgement. This is where you would actually change lives.

Education Fuels Web3 Adoption

At the end of the day, the best way to truly empower new artists is by educating them. Expand opportunities to develop free, artist-friendly educational materials and workshops. These will equip them to better understand Web3 technologies and thrive in the changing economy.

It’s not merely teaching artists how to mint NFTs. It’s less about training them to use specific tools, but more about equipping them to grasp the core tenets of blockchain technology, decentralized governance, and smart contracts. It’s about empowering them with the knowledge and skills they require to construct sustainable careers in Web3.

  • Beginner-friendly workshops: Simple explanations of blockchain concepts.
  • Mentorship programs: Pairing experienced Web3 professionals with emerging artists.
  • Online courses: Accessible education on topics like smart contracts and NFT marketplaces.
  • Community Forums: Safe spaces to ask questions and learn from others

Imagine that – when we invest in education, we’re investing in the future of Web3. We’re building a more diverse, inclusive and equitable arts ecosystem where artists of all backgrounds and identities can reach their full potential. As the old proverb states, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Help a man catch fish, and he can eat today.” — Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life.”

What does this mean for Doodles’ DOOD token promise? This situation illustrates that airdrops are not the magic bullet. It shouldn't discourage us. Rather, it should challenge us to create something greater. We, as the creators of this future ecosystem, have the power to make Web3 truly empowering for emerging artists.

Support artist DAOs. Participate in skill-sharing platforms. Advocate for education and accessibility initiatives. Join us in creating a future where artists like Anya can flourish, not just make it. Because their creativity is what makes Web3 Web3. And the price of ignoring them all is a future that’s less colorful, less different, and honestly, less cool.