Publications
Partners
By now we all know that crowdfunding is becoming an essential part of the creative’s process. Just a few weeks ago, the awesome Femme Magnifique comic series, which includes an episode about local legend Brenda Fassie, raised over a million rand in funding from supporters around the world. But private patronage is a different way altogether of thinking about funding, and something that new crowdfunding site Patreon is getting just right.
Instead of supporting projects, Patreon connects artists with patrons who commit to a monthly debit order while the artist’s career is getting off the ground. In exchange, patrons get exclusive content, gifts and special benefits, such as first option on sales from the creatives they support. It’s an entirely new way to support yourself as an artist, and a great way for arts enthusiasts to get involved in the development of people they believe in.
South African artists have been slow to start their Patreon profiles, but there are a few that I was able to find. Comic duo Cottonstar are getting R450 per page of their forthcoming comic; Chris-Eyre Walker is getting R500 for each Instagram video of his travels; and cosplayer GiantShev from Joburg is getting R4 000 per month. All just for signing up for a free account!
To get something like a comic book published involves a lifetime of creative work on the part of illustrators, colourists, writers and indie publishers which, without the support of individual patrons throughout their careers, might never materialise. Patreon could just be the platform that makes the stage between making and “making it” a little more possible.
