WHAT IS 823KEYPROJECT?

21,398 keys, 26 artist grants, one vision: 823KEYPROJECT. It’s about uniting 823 people—and the work of one enterprising artist—through a common pulse, a thread that links the contribution and purchases of many to the creation of one vision. Through a series of one-of-a-kind, vintage, handmade, skeleton-key necklaces, 823KEYPROJECT will grant musicians and writers, painters and photographers, travelers and revelers the proverbial key to showcase their unique interpretation of the world with an emphasis on authentic and community-minded work.

HOW DOES 823KEYPROJECT WORK?

The money from your purchase of one of the 823KEY neckpieces will be placed into a fund. Once the 823rd key is sold, that money becomes available to artists in the form of a grant. The grant will be awarded to an artist or artists whose vision of a more beautiful world frames a broader perspective of life while redefining art (SEE GRANTS SECTION TO APPLY FOR A GRANT). The 823 keyholders will forever be tied to the project—and one another—not only through monetary contributions and a neckpiece, but also through artist updates, show openings, and project developments.

Why 21,398 keys?

Good question. 823KEYPROJECT will give out as many grants as there are letters in the alphabet. So with 26 letters and 823 numbers, there will potentially be 21,398 unique keys floating around the world that connect you to others. Once all 823 keys in the letter ‘A’ are purchased, grant money will be awarded and the next set of 823 keys in the letter ‘B’ will be available for the next grant.

Why should you buy an 823KEY?

With the purchase of a key, you become one of 823 cogs in a wheel of creativity. You’re giving back to an art community, to your community, and to the world community. One of the 823 keys can be a symbolic gift to remind friends, family, co-workers, or even yourself that the waters of creativity aren’t stagnant, that the world can always be a more beautiful place, and that there’s massive power in collective thought. Without people like you, 823KEYPROJECT would not be possible.

THE GALLERY OF 823KEYPROJECT

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Who can apply for a grant?

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If you’re an artist with a vision, we want to hear from you. Poetry, ink, photography, music, kite flying, film, installation, watercolor, graffiti, jewelry, oil, origami, revelry—whatever your medium—we want to hear why your work will make the world a more beautiful place. This is a call for authenticity, originality, new definitions, and breaking the barriers of conventionality. We want you to test the limits of conformity and creativity. Convince us that being human has no limitations. Only then can you truly release the avant garde. Remember: Talent comes and goes, but a meaningful vision is timeless. Application can be downloaded here.

How is grant money awarded?

• 1). A diverse board of directors will conduct a three-round selection process. No round of 823keys will be made up of the same board members
• 2). The grant money is not available until the last key in each round of 823 keys is sold and delivered.
• 3). Applicants can download application and submit prior to this date.
• 4). There are 26 letters in the alphabet. The goal is to sell 26 rounds of 823 keys, each branded with a letter of the alphabet and a number between 1 and 823. At the very least, 26 grants will be awarded over time.
• - The total grant money available for each round of 823 keys will be up to $25,000. The total grant money, therefore, would be $650,000 over 26 rounds. If grant applicants don’t use all of the allotted money, more than one applicant may be chosen by the board.