NFTs (non-fungible tokens)  is the most recent blockchain news that has taken the creative world by storm. In this world of cryptocurrency, the mad dash to earning your stake can prove to have a major payout like the Beeple artwork, “Everydays: The First 5000 days,” that sold for $69.3 million, to the recent auction sell of “Disaster Girl,” the converted meme, which sold for $500,000. Needless to say, there are numerous articles and discussions around the topic. We scoured the web for recent captivating conversations held virtually over the past couple of months pertaining to NFTs, and how this newly digital art form is changing the way artists are able to produce and enable audiences to engage with art, digitally.

In April, MCA Denver held a virtual discussion between Nora Burnett Abrams, Mark G. Falcone Director of MCA Denver, and Amy Whitaker, a leading blockchain researcher and Assistant Professor in visual arts administration at New York University’s Steinhardt School. It was an illuminating conversation about non-fungible tokens (NFTs), addressing the history of NFTs and how the NFT phenomenon has the potential to readdress artistic production, ownership and collecting, and audience engagement with art. You can watch the full program below. 

For Freedoms, an artist-led organization that models and increases creative civic engagement, discourse and direct action, held a panel discussion on the technology and how NFTs can empower artists and provide ways of engagement for artists in a digital landscape. “NFT 101 for Artists,” moderated by For Freedoms Executive Director Claudia Peña and featuring panelists Kori Hale - CEO and Founder of CultureBanx, Jay Lundy -Investments & New Ventures Strategist at Combs Enterprises, and Vy Le - Impact investor, managing partner with Baron Enterprises. 

DETOUR, a Denver artist who specializes in large scale public art, interactive visuals, portraiture, immersive spaces, and creative directing, discussed NFTs on his YouTube channel in March, and shared his perspective on cryptoart. You can check out his video below. 

You can also find more information on Crypto Art and NFTs through the links below. Resources provided by For Freedoms. 

Black NFT Art is a media brand and resource bank to empower Black people in the NFT space. View their resources. 

"A Beginner's Guide to NFTs for Cryptoart" by Built In

"Top NFT Marketplaces for Creators to Sell Non-Fungible Tokens" by Influencer Marketing

"NFTs Weren't Supposed to End Like This" by Anil Dash for The Atlantic

"How China's Art Market Embraced NFTs" by Yaling Jiang for Arts