What happens to starving artists in times of recession? The same thing that happens to the homeless when a city "cleans up main street," they disappear. One start-up is battling the extinction of art with a platform that connects donors with artists.

Kickstarter, based in Brooklyn, has raised over $400,000 in pledges since its launch in April. The site is currently not for profit, so submitting a project is free. The artist proposes a project and states a funding goal. If the goal is achieved in the alloted time, you receive all of the investments.

Artists are encouraged to give gifts based on donation levels, similar to a PBS pledge drive. For example, DJ Paine is trying to raise $1,985 to take a trip from Australia to the US to photograph underground hip-hop artists in hopes of making a book. Donors receive everything from a pdf version of the book to a photo session with the artist while he is on his tour. Take a look at some of the other photography projects.

Do you have a project up on Kickstarter? Let me know and I'll feature it on the blog. Nothing like a little Amvona love to kickstart your donations!

(top image from the Kickstarter blog)

(bottom photo by DJ Paine from Kickstarter)