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Melisa Wu, Founder of EightTwoEight Media, is seeking funding to expand her services to artists around New York City.
828 Media has been serving New York City nonprofits, startup businesses, and independent artists since 2014 through cinematography, photography, graphic design, social media marketing, and web design. Wu works with underserved artists and companies from a variety of backgrounds to provide them with the opportunity to have their art and offerings brought to larger audiences. She does this by offering them discounted rates as well as providing her services for free.
The funds that Wu is seeking through crowdsourcing, donations, and private funding would be used to further expand her, and her collaborators’ services to find and work with more artists who need to have their abilities and unique talents showcased to more audiences and on larger platforms. Wu has already worked with many talented artists who she says produce amazing works of art in a variety of fields. This includes dancing, music, fashion design, and many more artistic and wellness providers and businesses. She has found there is often a disconnect between talented individuals and how to properly brand themselves and achieve successful marketing.
Traditionally, It is an expensive process for an artist to receive the proper branding and marketing to reach higher levels of exposure and success, but with more funding, Wu would be able to expedite this process for more struggling artists. She aims to continue providing free and discounted services. With more artists having their work showcased for free or at an affordable rate, they will be able to grow and pursue their artistry as a full-time career.
Wu will also use the additional funding to show how artistry can be used as a tool for healing and bringing people together. By working with more artists and bringing them to larger audiences, Wu aims to promote the positivity that comes from art and institutions that heal and educate.
Seeking funds can be problematic for artists. According to Wu, while diverse artists are being elevated, they often are under strong influence regarding their subject matter or themes. In addition, the institutions typically distributing funds, are often restricted by business interests that influence the artistic expression of the fund’s recipients.
According to Wu, while grants are a viable source of funding for artists, they come with restrictions that both stifle and influence the artist’s process and vision. Applying for a grant is both lengthy in preparation and very competitive. Wu says all of these factors contribute to a restrictive environment for organic artistic expression.
Wu has found one of the most difficult tasks for artists seeking exposure is trying to cover their marketing costs. Since this is so expensive, corporations and individuals are usually unable to cover the costs in an equitable way, which leaves artists with few options to support themselves without the need for second or third jobs. As a result, Wu fears artistry is becoming a privilege for only those who have access to financial support.
“As an artist and dancer who has struggled through an injury that left me unable to dance, I want to be able to help other artists, and give them a chance to showcase their work on as big of a stage or platform as possible,” says Wu. “The funding I’m seeking would go a long way in propping up artists in New York City who are so talented and deserve to have their work seen by the world.”
Wu will soon be partnering with award-winning director and brother Max Wu, founder of The 11th Film, a Hong Kong-based film production house, to utilize their team’s expertise on her work for New York City artists and holistic practitioners.
