art, culture and humanities
Banksy ‘Girl with Balloon’ SOLD to fund new purpose-driven gaming world, VistaVenus
MANCHESTER, England, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — In an unprecedented move that bridges the worlds of Art and Gaming, VistaVenus, the highly anticipated open-world multiplayer mobile game, has secured significant funding through the sale of the UK’s number one favourite artwork, ‘Girl with Balloon’ by the enigmatic and elusive, Banksy.


Mark Wools, Founder and Creative Director of VistaVenus, commented… “When I purchased ‘Girl with Balloon’ for £150 back in 2012, I was drawn to its profound message of hope. As much as I deeply cherished the painting, the opportunity to contribute its value to something as innovative, purpose-driven and meaningful as VistaVenus felt right. Selling it for £425,000 (a record-breaking amount for its signed edition at time of sale) to fund a game that promotes inclusivity, creativity, discovery, balance and positive progression, is a decision that aligns with my values, and I believe Banksy’s too! Art has the power to inspire and transform, and I’m excited to see how VistaVenus will touch the lives of young players around the world.”
The sale of ‘Girl with Balloon’ not only solidifies VistaVenus’s financial footing but also complements the entire company and brand ethos. The funds will be channeled into furthering the game’s development, enhancing its immersive experience, and expanding its inclusive community. The artwork, known for its powerful message of hope and love, mirrors the game’s ambitions to create a safe, community-driven environment that celebrates differences and promotes both personal and team growth.
About ‘Girl with Balloon‘
‘Girl with Balloon‘ is Banksy’s most iconic image, depicting a young girl reaching for a heart-shaped balloon, just out of her grasp. Fraught with emotive interpretations – some see the girl as losing the balloon, while others see her as on the verge of catching it – it is an allegory of hope, love, and freedom. Its sale to fund VistaVenus is a testament to the transformative power of art and its ability to fuel innovation in unexpected ways.
About VistaVenus
VistaVenus was founded in a small studio beneath the famous Christmas Steps in Banksy’s home town, Bristol. VistaVenus is a new open-world multiplayer mobile game currently in development.
It will offer an immersive, safely-social, story-led experience that promises to ethically engage younger gamers. It’s being developed by a collective of multi-industry professionals committed to creating a positive legacy through purpose-driven gaming. VistaVenus is more than just a game; it’s a platform for growth, content discovery, learning, connection – and most importantly… fun and entertainment!
WATCH the mid-dev game trailer of VistaVenus HERE. For those eager to dive into the world of VistaVenus, Alpha Playtest registration is now open at vistavenus.com. Check out @vistavenus on TikTok for behind-the-scenes content and updates!
VistaVenus continually seeks esteemed partners who align with their core values. For more info regarding investment opportunities and brand collaborations, contact [email protected].
DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET HERE / DOWNLOAD MEDIA PACK HERE
A full PRESS PACK about VistaVenus is available on request via Media Contact.
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216902/BANKSY_GIRL_VISTAVENUS.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216907/VISTAVENUS_Logo.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216943/VistaVenus_Purpose_Logo.jpg
CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT : MARK WOOLS • [email protected] • +44(0)7932 761 156
SOURCE VistaVenus
art, culture and humanities
Paramount+ in Canada and The Shine Network Institute Announce the Indigenous Producers Budgeting Intensive
TORONTO /CNW/ — Today, Paramount+ in Canada and The Shine Network Institute (TSNI) announce the Indigenous Producers Budgeting Intensive, an online course and new resource to support the professional development and mentorship of Indigenous women in film, television and media. This first virtual course will be geared toward budgeting for film. It will be accessible on TSNI’s @Learnatshine platform and will launch on National Indigenous Peoples Day – Friday, June 21, 2024.
Geared toward emerging and mid-level Indigenous female producers, this first intensive course of 10 x one hour modules offer students hands-on learning accompanied by Indigenous framed tutorials designed to empower students as they prepare to produce their first feature film. The course will also include candid conversations with Indigenous female producers to inspire and motivate students by giving them access to industry veterans who can dispel myths and misconceptions about producing.
“Working with The Shine Network Institute on this course is truly the first step in our partnership,” said Doug Smith, SVP Streaming & Content Licensing Paramount Global, Canada. “After listening and consulting with Jennifer Podemski and her team over the past few months we are proud to collaborate on this online course which will provide tangible skills to those interested in line producing, one of the most important jobs on any set. It is also a project we can build on in the months and years to come to support even more of TSNI’s membership and the next generation of Indigenous producers.”
“I am thrilled to be partnering with Paramount + Canada for this course,” said Jennifer Podemski, President & CEO, The Shine Network Institute. “Partnerships like this allow TSNI to offer the highest level of training and mentorship while building capacity for Indigenous people within the screen sector. Although our mission at TSNI is to foster the careers of Indigenous women who are the least represented across the sector and experience the most disproportionate outcomes, this course, which will be offered on our @Learnatshine platform, is open to all Indigenous professionals working within Canada’s film, television and digital media space.”
This initiative is the third partnership Paramount+ in Canada has announced that reinforces its long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Earlier this fall, the company announced a collaboration with the Black Screen Office for the Black Creators Festival Initiative; a joint venture with BIPOC TV & Film, and the National Screen Institute Partner for the new ELEVATE program; and now TSNI’s Budget Online Intensive.
These programs are intricately connected to the mission of Paramount Global’s Content for Change initiative, which seeks to counteract narratives that enable bias, stereotypes and hate using the power of our content, the creative supply chain that powers it, and the culture that underpins everything we do.
About Paramount+
Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, Italy, Ireland and South Korea.
About The Shine Network Institute
The Shine Network Institute (TSNI) is an Indigenous not-for-profit organization providing professional development programs, advocacy and mentorship, for Indigenous women in the film, television and media sector. TSNI is committed to knowledge gathering and knowledge sharing, understanding that culturally informed research practices will deepen our understanding of the needs within the communities we serve. We are committed to dismantling systemic and structural barriers Indigenous women face in the screen sector and creating pathways to advancing Indigenous women’s careers within the screen sector while creating safer spaces for all Indigenous Peoples in the industry.
SOURCE Paramount+ (Canada)
art, culture and humanities
Artlist releases its 2024 Trend Report – Empower your brand to craft the content of tomorrow
TEL AVIV, Israel /PRNewswire/ — Artlist, the creative technology company used by millions of digital creators and major brands worldwide, today released the Artlist Trend Report 2024, featuring industry insights from business leaders from Google, Amazon, Meta, and actionable data from more than 7,000 global content creators. It provides the most comprehensive look into how international brands should approach video content in 2024. The report explores how brands can push their boundaries, embrace new technology, and create a local connection in an increasingly global landscape.


The Artlist Trend Report 2024 is a first-of-its-kind, not-yet-trending report with upcoming predictions designed to inspire and empower brands to look toward the future and create without limits. The full report has several surprising predictions and data for any brand looking to stay ahead of the curb with impactful content.
The top predictions of the Artlist Trend Report 2024 include:
- Less technical work, more content. AI will continue to make the content creation process faster, cheaper, and more accessible. You’ll often no longer have to invest time and resources into intensive editing and post-production. The survey reports that 52% of video creators already use AI in their creative process.
- Push the boundaries of your brand. Minimalist design is out. Instead, thanks to Generative AI, surrealist visuals will start trending. Brands that want to stand out in 2024 must use these tools to innovatively reimagine visuals, sound, video, and motion design. Creators will find new ways to use FPV drone tech, AR/VR, and immersive consumer experiences.
- Local talents, global reach. Technology and social media have made it easier for creators to monetize their content and get found online. For brands, this means greater opportunities to discover diverse and niche influencers with fiercely loyal audiences. Tapping into audience niches with voices they trust is a great way to authentically connect to new audiences and diversify your customer base.
- Hire creative fire. There’s been an uptick in companies taking their creative in-house rather than outsourcing to agencies. New technologies have also lowered the barriers to entry in terms of technical skills. So, in 2024, brands must employ top-notch creative talent and prioritize strategic thinking to stand out.
- Personalization is paramount. In an era of content overload, personalization will be critical to cut through the noise. Brands should look to tailor and curate their content as much as possible, especially for Gen Z audiences. The era of passive and generic content is fading, and consumers expect to be able to actively engage.
Today, brands are operating in a rapidly advancing technological landscape. Shrinking attention spans and an explosion of digital content have led to a greater need for compelling, sharable visuals. There are significant business opportunities for brands that project a distinct voice with unique creative approaches. Ira Belsky, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Artlist explains, “Today, a brand’s vision, and the business strategy that it influences, all need to be conveyed to consumers through a single voice that spans diverse forms of media, and remains authentic, no matter what.”
There are so many changes happening before our eyes that it’s more important than ever for brands to be clear on who they are and the essence of what they want to convey about themselves.
Itzik Elbaz, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Artlist, says, “2024 is set to be a truly unique year. The technological advances we’ve seen in 2023 have triggered an entirely new generation of enthusiastic creators exploring new directions. Technical expertise is no longer a barrier to entry. Creativity can be unleashed by anyone from anywhere. It’s going to be a wild ride of a year.”
Download the Artlist Trend Report 2024: https://artlist.io/blog/trend-report
About Artlist
Artlist is a leading creative technology company offering content creators and brands powerful editing tools and over 1.3M professional digital assets under a global license that covers every project worldwide. In its mission to empower creators worldwide to create without limits, Artlist consists of 3 products: Artlist, the all-in-one platform for video creators, including high-quality and curated royalty-free music, SFX, footage, templates, plugins, and more; MotionArray, the ultimate vertical marketplace for creators including video templates, presets, music, SFX, stock footage, graphics for design, motion graphics and stock photos; and FXhome, a cutting-edge video, VFX and image editing software.
Artlist works with a growing team of contributors across the globe, updating its catalogs daily with fresh content while preserving a consistently high level of quality across its media and platforms.
Since it was founded in 2016, Artlist has revolutionized the creative industry by offering subscription-based products under a comprehensive and simple license and is fast becoming the ultimate, complete solution for content creators. Recognized as a top startup by LinkedIn and WIRED, Artlist has over 20 million customers, from individual content creators to major corporations such as Google, Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, Ikea, Netflix, Dior, Mercedes, and many more.
Source: Artlist
art, culture and humanities
Gifts and Stocking Stuffers for Creatives and Art Lovers


(Family Features) When looking for the perfect present, hone in on your loved ones’ favorite hobbies. The options for creatives and art lovers are nearly endless, with stocking stuffers and thoughtful gifts ranging from pens and pencils to markers, personal drawing lessons and beyond.
Give the gift of creative expression this holiday season with a present that helps spark ingenuity and encourages recipients to tap into their creative sides through drawing, journaling and more. Consider this assortment of drawing and writing tools to excite the imagination of anyone who unwraps them.


Fast-Drying Markers for Vibrant Art
Uncap the possibilities of dazzling art with a Sharpie Permanent Marker Holiday Pack, a limited edition set of 30 fine point and 30 ultra-fine point colored permanent markers that allows users to switch between bold strokes and intricate detailing. Remarkably resilient, the iconic permanent ink writes on most surfaces, dries quickly and resists smearing to create vibrant, eye-popping impressions. Included in the pack is one exclusive “mystery marker,” revealing one of three surprise colors. Shop this gift exclusively at Walmart.com.


Beautiful Colors, Brilliantly Smooth
Spread joy by gifting Paper Mate InkJoy Gel pens with vivid gel ink that dries three times faster for reduced smearing and ergonomic grips for maximum comfort. With a smooth style, you can keep the joy flowing as fast as your thoughts while brightening your writing with 14 brilliant assorted colors. Your pages can come to life like a vivid party where smudges aren’t invited. Perfect for students and journalers, you can fill stockings by visiting Amazon.com.


Draw, Shade and Illustrate with Colored Pencils
Give the ultimate gift to aspiring artists with the Prismacolor Technique Landscape & Nature Drawing Set. This 3-in-1 set pairs high-quality art supplies with nature and landscape-themed digital lessons, which teach fundamental skills as you create three unique pieces of artwork. The set includes 38 Soft Core colored pencils, one Turquoise Graphite pencil, two illustration markers, one mini sharpener, one eraser and one drawing pad. Find these art essentials exclusively at Target.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (family coloring)
SOURCE:
Sharpie
Paper Mate
Prismacolor
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