Developing a Creative Economy and Making Art Accessible with Toni Sikes and Marc Aptakin

In this episode, Jay speaks with Toni Sikes, Co-Founder and CEO at CODAworx, and Marc Aptakin, Co-CEO of CODAMADE and President at MAD Studios. CODAMADE, a project born out of CODAworx and MAD Studios, empowers artists and communities to create artworks that bridge the physical public art world with the digital art sphere. Toni and Marc share what led them to launch a new creative economy and build an NFT ecosystem based on creativity, collaboration, and mutual support. Toni and Marc discuss the value of public art and share the importance of making tools available to artists, and making art accessible to people around the globe. 

 

yWhales Website: ywhales.com

Podcast Library: ywhales.com/podcasts

YouTube: https://links.ywhales.com/YouTube 

Vimeo: https://links.ywhales.com/Vimeo 

LinkedIn: https://links.ywhales.com/LinkedIn 

Twitter: https://links.ywhales.com/Twitter 

Medium: https://links.ywhales.com/Medium 

 

Guest Socials:

Toni Sikes’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-sikes-5816049/ 

Toni Sikes’ Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/sikestoni

Marc Aptakin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-aptakin-6b90034/ 

Marc Aptakin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maptakin/?hl=en

CODAMADE’s Socials: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAHvIYRRMkks1t8OOc21y0Q/f

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codamadeofficial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/codamade

About Guests

Toni Sikes has spent over 30 years developing companies and products that marketed the work of artists, first through sourcebook directories, then through e-commerce and catalogs, and currently with an online showcase that connects artists with design professionals. Along the way, her companies raised over $50M in investment capital and helped many artists make a living with their artwork.

 

Marc Aptakin began his career as a fine art photographer in the early 90’s. He then fell into printing and graphic design which led him to start a creative agency and print shop. He’s always had a love for technology and began to work in mobile applications. Using AR and VR as a marketing tool, the agency grew in clientele and continued to take on diverse projects. While working with an artist who had an interest in NFTs, Marc’s agency took a step into the Defi space. Shortly after, he met Toni and the two created CODAMADE

You’ll learn about:

• The CODAMADE journey and creating an art ecosystem
• Why education is placed at the core of CODAMADE
• Changing the way we fundraise and support causes artists care about
• The power of NFTs to enable a better sense of community 

Timestamps

[00:34-01:38] Jay’s Intro 

[01:38-06:13] Marc’s Background

[06:13-09:33] Toni’s Background

[09:33-16:18] Why NFTs?

[16:18-18:56] Managing communities

[18:56-22:30] The value of public art 

[22:30-28:50] CODAMADE’s business model

[28:50-30:00] Technology behind CODAMADE

[30:00-32:48] Curating and validating

[32:48-41:30] Favorite NFT projects

[41:30-47:15] Where is the Web3 space headed?

[47:15-47:56] How to contact Toni and Marc

DISCLAIMER: yWhales is not affiliated with YPO but at this time only allow for YPO, YPO Gold, and YNG members due to privacy & confidentiality. Support and production for today’s episode was done by Truth Work Media. Nothing in the podcast constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information on the podcast constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto.