@f8b2ff93a3ec24705bf0f7ccf0bbc983231f9bb494b90638b9c6099ec078d711 [Posted on DevHub](/devgovgigs.near/widget/Post?id=2367) ## Idea: Hackbox Report: Art & Innovation [Image Gallery](https://www.notion.so/03825f82d81749f990e8c58a12debad5?pvs=21) ## **Executive Summary** **Event Overview:** Art & Innovation Tulsa 2023, held from November 3rd to 5th in Tulsa, OK, was a pioneering event at the intersection of art and blockchain/web3 technologies. It aimed to integrate these technologies within the art sector, promote diversity in art, and serve as an educational platform for emerging tech trends. **Impact on the NEAR Ecosystem:** The event significantly impacted the NEAR ecosystem by: 1. Introducing new developers and artists to NEAR, expanding its community. 2. Showcasing the potential of NEAR in integrating blockchain with art. 3. Encouraging discussions and interest in NEAR among local art and tech communities. **Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Metrics:** **Market Validation and User Interest:** 1. **Attendee Demographics:** - 27 Luma sign-ups for the hackathon. - 46 members joined the A&I meet-up group, with 11 RSVPs for the Public Opening and 5 for the Panel. - 21 sign-ups on the Taikai hackathon platform, proposing 5 projects. 2. **Funds Raised:** - Approximately $25,500 raised. 3. **Artwork Engagement:** - 4 QR code scans across two codes, indicating modest engagement with digital art. 4. **Discord Engagement:** - 34 Discord members with 10-15 active members. 5. **Interest in Web3 Technologies:** - Interest shown by Tulsa Remote and Tulsa Creative Engine involvement in the event. - Attendees who hadn't kept up with web3 were surprised by NEAR’s low energy use and onboarding potential. 6. **Developer Participation:** - 10 developers joined to build on NEAR, with 8 having little to no prior experience with NEAR. **Conclusion:** While Art & Innovation Tulsa 2023 successfully created a platform for collaboration and introduced new audiences to the NEAR ecosystem, the event faced challenges in market validation, monetization, and open-source development. The modest engagement metrics and lack of significant interest in blockchain among artists suggest a need for more targeted outreach and engagement strategies. Future events will benefit from a more focused approach to attracting and engaging artists and developers, as well as clearer pathways for monetization and open-source collaboration within the NEAR ecosystem. ## **Event Highlights** **Hackathon Format:** Art & Innovation Tulsa 2023 was a three-day event that seamlessly merged artistic creativity with technological innovation. The hackathon encouraged teams to engage in projects that combined art with blockchain and web3 technologies. Participants, forming teams of various sizes, tackled challenges using advanced tools like the NEAR protocol, VR headsets, and NFC technology. This format was crucial in providing a hands-on experience that fostered innovation at the intersection of art and technology. **Participants:** The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including artists, tech professionals, and community leaders, with 21 individuals signing up on the Taikai hackathon platform. These participants formed teams that brought together a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, creating a rich, multidisciplinary environment conducive to innovative thinking and problem-solving. **Projects and Panel Discussion:** Several innovative projects were proposed, showcasing the potential of integrating art with blockchain and web3 technologies. A key intellectual highlight of the event was a panel discussion focusing on the progression past postmodernism and its implications for art and artists as well as the future economic landscape for artists through technology. This panel explored the evolving landscape of art, discussing how artists can navigate and monetize their work in a rapidly changing environment. The insights from this panel provided valuable perspectives on the future of art and the role of technology in shaping it. **Sponsors:** The event was supported by key sponsors, including NEAR, Tulsa Remote, and Tulsa Creative Engine. Their contributions, both financial and in resources, were vital to the event's success. In addition to the support from NEAR, Tulsa Remote donated $1,500 and Tulsa Creative Engine donated time and effort sourcing 4 musical acts for the event. WoMPA, the event space and its furniture and AV providers also contributed toward logistical support and threw in considerable discounts to the tune of 70% in some cases. We also received donations for Yaupon Brothers Tea, who donated enough Indigenous American tea to keep our hackers caffeinated throughout. In return, these sponsors gained exposure to an innovative and diverse audience, along with networking opportunities and brand placement. **Mentorship and Community Engagement:** Mentorship sessions, led by experienced professionals, were a significant aspect of the event, offering expert guidance and insights to participants. The positive feedback from attendees highlighted the value of these sessions. Many participants expressed enthusiasm for contributing to future iterations of the event, recognizing its unique role in bridging art and technology. The success of this event, particularly in areas where previous attempts amongst the local community had struggled, has identified a supportive community in Oklahoma. This community is poised to be a catalyst for expanding the event series nationally and leveraging the interest and momentum generated in Tulsa. ## Financial Summary 19009 - 18092.06188 = 866.93812 NEAR lost in slippage from swaps from NEAR USDT to NEAR in order to get the money into Coinbase US. 50 NEAR sent to different wallet for participants projects $1.1 per NEAR; 2 x 5 NEAR transactions sent to participants for testing. 40 NEAR remaining in wallet. 18092.06188 NEAR sent to Coinbase. 18094.8 NEAR sold for $18444.86 - 274.83 in fees = $18170.03 ## **Budget Breakdown** ### **Production** **Expected** | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Venue | 1 | $3,400 | $3,400 | | Projector Rental | 1 | $175 | $175 | | Projector Screen Rental | 1 | $90 | $90 | | Sound Package Rental | 1 | $350 | $350 | | Digital Art Display | 2 | $434 | $868 | | Digital Art Display Mount | 2 | $80 | $160 | | Supporting Misc Tech | 1 | $150 | $150 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $4,679 | **Actual** | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Venue | 1 | $5,047 | $5,047 | | Furniture Rental | | $767.94 | $767.94 | | AV Rental and Technician Package | | $1,240 | $1,240 | | Digital Art Display | 2 | $434.06 | $868.12 | | Digital Art Display Mount | 2 | $80.06 | $160.12 | | Art Projector | 1 | $1,293.1 | $1,293.1 | | VR Headset | 2 | $538.16 | $1,076.33 | | VR Protective Equipment | | $372.62 | $372.62 | | Live Streaming Equipment | | $858.64 | $858.64 | | Supporting Misc Tech | | $312.38 | 312.38 | | Misc Production Items | | $55.8 | $55.8 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $12,052.05 | Reason for discrepancy: I opted to shift more resources toward improving production quality of the event and ensuring access to equipment that would allow for a more engaging event. --- ### **Activations and Entertainment** **Expected** | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bounties | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | | Design Contest | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | | T-Shirts | 50 | $12 | $576 | | Food & Drinks | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | | Live Performances | 3 | $300 | $900 | | Speakers | 3 | $300 | $900 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $6,287 | **Actual** | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bounties | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | | Design Contest | 1 | $1,200 | $1,200 | | Merch | | $1,978.82 | $1,978.82 | | Food & Drinks | | $2,538.87 | $2,538.87 | | Live Performances | 3 | $500 | $1500 | | VR Applications | | $69.88 | $69.88 | | PoAP Design | 1 | $500 | $500 | | NFC-enabled Stickers | | $375 | $375 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $14,162.57 | Reason for discrepancy: We over ran our design budget a bit because we had so many designs we wanted to use from our many entries. We also wanted to get a more directed artwork produced for a PoAP. Additionally, we decided to produce more merch as the event had grown in size. --- ### Branding & Decor **Expected** | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Banner | 1 | $45 | $45 | | Foamboard Signage | 3 | $15 | $45 | | Misc | 1 | $500 | $500 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $590 | **Actual** | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | Serving supplies | | $331.25 | $331.25 | | Posterboard | | $16.23 | $16.23 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $347.48 | Reason for discrepancy: The upgraded venue and merch allowed for an elevated appearance without spending additional funds here. --- ### **Staffing** **Expected** | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Photographer/Videographer | 1 | $500 | $500 | | Community Management | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | | Marketing & Outreach | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $5,500 | **Actual** | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Photographer &Videographer | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $2,000 | Reason for discrepancy: Was able to leverage volunteers from the event to help fill some roles as well as leverage partner organization networks for their marketing & outreach. Due to this, we opted to invest more into photography and videography. --- ### Others **Expected** | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Marketing & Promo | 1 | $750 | $750 | | Food and Drinks License | 1 | $100 | $100 | | Miscellaneous | 1 | $500 | $500 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $1,150 | **Actual** | ITEM | QTY | COST($) | TOTAL ($) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Marketing & Promo | 1 | $750 | $750 | | | | | | | TOTAL | | | $750 | Reason for discrepancy: food and drinks license was unnecessary. No additional misc expenses here. --- ## Income Sources | Source | Amount | In-Kind Services | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Hackbox | $19,009.00 | Promoted event within network. | Funds provided in NEAR USDT. | | DevHub | $6,000 | | For prizes. | | Builders + Backers | $5,000 | Promoted event within network. | | | Tulsa Remote | $1,500 | Also donated Black Wall Street merch. Promoted event within network. | | | Tulsa Creative Engine | | Provided booking and logistics for live music. Promoted event within network. | | | Holberton | | Promoted event to students. | | | WhiteSquare | | Provided planning and logistical support. Ran art contest. | | | Yaupon Brothers | | $100 of Native American Tea | To keep our hackers caffeinated. | ### **Summary** --- - **TOTAL expected**: $25,009 expenses including bounties. - **TOTAL actual**: $29,843.81 expenses including bounties. - **********TOTAL**********: $24,670.03 in income including NEAR, B+B, and Tulsa Remote; after accounting for slippage and fees getting NEAR USDT to FIAT USD. An additional $6,000 is earmarked for bounties and to be paid by Devhub Actual expenses exceeded total expected, but stayed under the amount of income received to throw the event. Adjustments to budget significantly elevated the event’s security, ambiance, and capacity. I was able to secure a number of substantial discounts on rentals and so for a modest increase over budget, was able to have a substantially better event. ## **Participant Feedback** ### **1. Introduction** **Art & Innovation Tulsa 2023** was a hybrid hackathon event that spanned 3 days in real life (IRL) and 4 days virtually in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a burgeoning tech hub, Tulsa provided the perfect backdrop for this event, which aimed to intersect art and technology, focusing particularly on the web3 space and the NEAR ecosystem. The high transaction speed, low cost, and efficient onboarding tools of NEAR were key highlights. Overall, the event garnered positive feedback from both participants and stakeholders, marking it as a successful endeavor. ### **2. Pre-Event Organization** **Registration and Information Dissemination** The transition from the Luma platform to Taikai for registration was smooth from an organizational standpoint, but concerns were raised about potential participant loss during this switch. Despite this, a total of 22 participants engaged in the event. Information dissemination was timely and effective, though participants expressed a need for better documentation of tools like Keypom. **Outreach and Community Engagement** Our LinkedIn campaign successfully drew participants, as did partnerships with Holberton and Tulsa Remote. The event revealed a significant community interest but also highlighted a general lack of understanding about what hackathons entail. ### **3. Technology and Infrastructure** **Digital Infrastructure** The setup involving the website and Discord server was satisfactory, although there were feedback about the excessive use of '@everyone' notifications. The use of Keypom posed difficulties for many participants, from beginners to veterans, with only a few able to navigate it effectively. **Hardware and Equipment** The availability of necessary equipment like monitors, projectors, VR headsets, and mics was commendable, and there were no complaints about Wi-Fi connectivity. ### **4. Venue and Logistics** **Venue Layout and Accessibility** The mismatch of stools to tables was a minor issue, but the overall venue, complete with clean showers, restrooms, and an on-site art gallery, received high praise. The campus-like atmosphere was also appreciated for its safety and conducive environment for breaks. **Food and Beverages** The distance from Tulsa’s art district was noted by exhibition and panel guests. While not excessively far, closer proximity to downtown might have increased foot traffic and public engagement. The food was a standout aspect of the event, with a wide range of options catering to all dietary restrictions. ### **5. Event Execution** **Accommodation and Transportation** ## **Schedule Management** The event faced delays due to vendor and speaker dropouts and challenges in setting up the space. However, the team effectively adapted to these challenges, notably combining two planned panels into one fireside chat, which became a highlight for many attendees. ### **6. Content and Activities** **Workshops and Panels** The consolidated fireside chat was a significant success, sparking interest in media engagement among participants. The XR demonstrations were well-received, though the onboarding process for the equipment proved time-consuming. **Challenges** An issue with Taikai’s voting system led to the use of a Google Form as an alternative, which impacted the momentum of the event. The final celebration has been postponed until the voting process concludes. **Entertainment and Networking** The event featured live music, VR headsets, and a uniquely decorated compound for entertainment. Networking opportunities were abundant during meals, music sessions, and city-wide professional networking events. ### **7. Participant Experience** **Feedback** Participants and guests expressed overall excitement and satisfaction, with several indicating interest in contributing to future iterations. While some guests suggested a more central downtown location, participants were content with the current venue. **Diversity and Inclusivity** The event boasted a diverse turnout. A concern was raised about the use of the Tulsa Driller symbol, perceived as non-inclusive. However, this was addressed effectively, ensuring satisfaction among attendees. ### **Conclusion** Art & Innovation Tulsa 2023 set a precedent for future hackathons in the region, successfully blending technology, art, and community engagement. The feedback collected will be instrumental in refining future events, particularly in enhancing the participant experience, addressing technological challenges, and optimizing venue selection for greater public engagement. This event has laid a strong foundation for Tulsa's burgeoning tech and art scene, promising even more innovative and inclusive hackathons in the future. ## **Lessons Learned** ### **Success Factors** 1. **Diverse Participation**: The varied backgrounds of attendees, encompassing artists, tech professionals, and community leaders, fostered a rich, multidisciplinary environment. This diversity was crucial in driving innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving. 2. **Advanced Technology Integration**: Utilizing tools like VR headsets, NFC technology, and the NEAR protocol enriched the hands-on experience. This not only demonstrated the practical application of technology in art but also provided participants with valuable, tangible skills. 3. **Strong Sponsorships and Partnerships**: Collaborations with sponsors like NEAR, Tulsa Remote, and Tulsa Creative Engine significantly contributed to the event’s success. These partnerships provided financial support, brand visibility, and logistical assistance, enhancing the overall quality and reach of the event. 4. **Quality of Venue and Amenities**: The choice of venue, along with amenities like clean restrooms, showers, and on-site art galleries, created a comfortable and conducive environment. This attention to detail played a key role in ensuring participant satisfaction and engagement. 5. **Effective Mentorship**: The mentorship sessions, led by experienced professionals, were a significant value addition. They provided participants with expert guidance, enhancing their learning experience and fostering a sense of community. ### **Challenges** 1. **Participant Concersion and Retention**: Despite successful sign-ups, actual conversion was more modest. Future events should focus on strategies to maintain participant interest leading up to the event. 2. **Financial Efficiency**: The financial loss due to slippage in currency conversion highlights a need for more strategic financial planning. Exploring more efficient transaction methods or hedging strategies could mitigate such losses in the future. 3. **Technology Usability**: Participants faced challenges with tools like Keypom, indicating a need for better onboarding and documentation around tools. 4. **Contingency Planning**: Issues like vendor, performer, and speaker dropouts disrupted the schedule. Improved contingency planning, including backup speakers and vendors, can ensure smoother event execution. 5. **Cultural Sensitivity**: The concern raised about the Tulsa Driller symbol underlines the importance of cultural sensitivity in event branding and symbolism. ## **Future Plans** ### **Next Steps** 1. **Upcoming Hackathons/Events**: Plan to host the next iteration of the event in mid-2024. 2. **Expanding Geographic Reach**: Considering the success in Tulsa, future events could be expanded to other tech hubs, potentially in collaboration with local art communities and tech incubators. My network extends to places beyond Tulsa, like Toledo where my museum is located or Tokyo where I lived for 8 years. 3. **Continued Collaboration with Sponsors**: Strengthen partnerships with existing sponsors and explore new collaborations, especially with organizations focusing on blockchain and digital innovation in art. ### **Improvements** 1. **Enhanced Participant Engagement**: Implementing more interactive workshops, live demos, and hands-on sessions to keep participants actively involved. Also, a more streamlined and engaging approach to the event’s registration process and digital communications to ensure no loss of momentum or participants. 2. **Financial Strategy Refinement**: Review and optimize the financial transaction process to minimize losses due to currency conversion. Ensuring that currency received can be smoothly converted through local centralized exchanges in a legally compliant way before accepting it could prevent future issues. 3. **Improved Technology Training**: Provide more comprehensive training sessions or tutorials on key technologies used during the event to ensure all participants can engage effectively with the tools provided. Ensure that documentation for all tools is up-to-date, accurate, and easy to understand. 4. **Robust Contingency Plans**: Develop more robust contingency plans to deal with unforeseen circumstances like speaker or vendor dropouts, ensuring minimal disruption to the event schedule. 5. **Incorporating Feedback for Venue Selection**: Considering participant feedback, future events could be held in more centrally located venues to increase public engagement and accessibility. #Hacks #Hackbox #PoweredByHackbox nneoma.near yarotska.near