Make Your Own Art Money
Create It. Authenticate It. Exchange It.
Your Art. Your Values. Your Terms.
Your creative work can become something people desire to own, collect, treasure, enjoy, and exchange.
Whether you create paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, music, poetry, stories, or other artistic works, you can establish your own collection of original art and limited editions.
Create distinctive works. Establish your own artistic valuations. Document your creations with Certificates of Authenticity. Invite collectors to acquire and exchange your art.
You can even establish your own art library, allowing others to experience your creations through mutually agreed lending arrangements.
Through Minnaar Money — The Art of Freedom, I invite independent artists to explore these possibilities and discover how art can circulate beyond the traditional gallery model.
Create art people want. Give them the freedom to enjoy, collect, and exchange it.
1. Create Your Own Art Money
Make Art People Desire.
Begin by creating original artworks or limited editions you would like others to collect and exchange.
Your art money might take the form of:
- Original drawings, paintings, and miniature Artcards.
- Signed woodcuts, linocuts, etchings, and other original prints.
- Original photographs and signed photographic editions.
- Sculptures, ceramics, and collectible objects.
- Signed musical recordings and Musical Artcards.
- Original manuscripts, signed books, Poetry Artcards, and Story Artcards.
- Video Artcards representing original films, animations, and other moving-image creations.
You decide what to create, how many works to produce, and what value to assign.
A small print might be offered in exchange for a restaurant meal. A painting might help you acquire another artist's work, professional services, or something else you desire.
You can establish your own artistic standards and invite others to participate through voluntary exchange.
Make art people want. Then discover what your art can help you acquire.
Photographers — Put Your Images Into Circulation
Create original photographs and signed limited editions that collectors can enjoy, preserve, gift, and exchange.
Establish your own valuations, document your editions, and invite exchanges for other artworks, photographic equipment, professional services, or anything else you find desirable.
You might also allow collectors to exchange earlier prints toward new photographic editions.
Your photography. Your editions. Your exchange terms.
Musicians — Make Your Music Collectible
Create signed limited-edition recordings or collectible Musical Artcards that combine original visual artwork with access to your music.
Musical Artcards provide a physical artistic identity for songs, recordings, EPs, albums, and other musical creations.
Collaborate with visual artists, establish your own editions, and invite listeners to collect and exchange your work.
Musicians may also offer performances, commissions, and creative services through the free Minnaar Trading Post.
Writers & Poets — Make Your Words Collectible
Transform original poetry, stories, and other literary creations into physical artworks.
Explore handwritten manuscripts, signed limited-edition books, poetry broadsides, illustrated prints, and miniature Artcards.
Poetry Artcards combine original poems with visual art and may connect readers to complete poems or spoken-word recordings.
Story Artcards combine original storytelling with visual art, connecting miniature collectibles to short stories, novels, and audiobooks.
Filmmakers & Video Creators — Give Moving Images a Physical Form
Create Video Artcards representing original films, animation, documentaries, performances, and other video creations.
Each physical card combines original or authorized visual artwork with a QR code or link to the associated video.
Offer your creations directly to viewers or collaborate with other artists to develop distinctive collectible editions.
Artcards — Small Art With Expansive Possibilities
Artcards offer an accessible way to create collectible works combining original visual art with music, poetry, storytelling, and video.
The standard Artcard format measures 2.5 × 3.5 inches.
Anyone may create, collect, sell, gift, or exchange Artcards independently.
Creators establish their own artistic values, edition sizes, and exchange arrangements.
For professional printing, MakePlayingCards.com offers customizable double-sided playing cards with a choice of cardstock and finishes.
2. Establish Your Own Artistic Value
You Decide What Your Art Is Worth to You.
Every artist has the freedom to establish personal valuations for their creations.
You might value a drawing at the equivalent of an ounce of silver, a limited-edition print at five ounces, or an original painting at a substantially greater amount.
You might prefer another unit of account or establish your values through direct negotiation and exchange.
The essential principle is that you determine what you are willing to accept for your work, while others freely decide what they are willing to offer.
You can also establish a consistent schedule of values for different artistic categories, making it easier for collectors to understand and exchange your creations.
The Minnaar Money Example
Within Minnaar Money, I assign each registered artwork a Sovereign Value (SV).
1 SV = 1 Troy Ounce of Silver
Sovereign Value represents my personal artistic exchange commitment—the value I am willing to accept for a work and would willingly offer in other Minnaar Money to acquire it.
This consistent reference supports artwork acquisitions, exchanges, and refundable deposits for eligible Minnaar Art Library checkouts.
You are welcome to develop an independent valuation system appropriate to your own artistic practice.
Your art. Your judgment. Your values.
3. Authenticate Your Art
Give Every Artwork a Lasting Identity.
Art intended to circulate among collectors benefits from clear and reliable documentation.
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) can identify an artwork's creator, title, medium, dimensions, edition number, and other distinguishing information.
It can also help collectors preserve the history of an artwork as it changes hands.
I use digital Certificates of Authenticity to document registered Minnaar Money.
Artists may establish their own independent authentication systems using digital certificates and other suitable documentation.
Digital Authentication Resources
IntelliMint
I use IntelliMint technology to issue digital Certificates of Authenticity for Minnaar Money.
COAmint
Through COAmint.com, artists can explore establishing their own verified certificate-issuer identities associated with their website domains.
CertificateOfAuthenticity.com
Digital certificates issued through compatible systems may be checked at CertificateOfAuthenticity.com.
These resources offer ways to develop a documented collection under your own artistic identity.
A Certificate of Authenticity records the issuer's claims and helps establish provenance. The issuing artist remains responsible for accurate documentation and authentication.
Create the art. Document its identity. Give collectors a lasting record.
4. Put Your Art Into Circulation
Discover the Possibilities of Voluntary Exchange.
Once you've created and documented your art, invite others to acquire and exchange it.
The free Minnaar Trading Post offers a marketplace where individuals can propose exchanges involving artworks, goods, services, and experiences.
List your creations, describe their distinctive qualities, and explain what you would enjoy receiving in return.
You might exchange your artwork for:
- Other original artworks and collectibles.
- Printing, framing, photography, or advertising services.
- Restaurant meals, travel, or accommodations.
- Equipment, materials, or professional services.
- Silver, registered Minnaar Money, or other objects of interest.
Anyone who appreciates your creations may become a potential trading partner.
You establish your own values, consider offers, and decide which exchanges to accept.
Create something desirable. Offer it freely. Discover what others value in exchange.
EXPLORE THE MINNAAR TRADING POST →
5. Make Your Art Exchangeable — Or Establish Your Own Art Library
Give Collectors More Ways to Experience Your Work.
One of the most interesting possibilities for independent artists is creating an ongoing relationship between their artworks and their collectors.
You can offer opportunities for collectors to exchange previously acquired works toward other available creations.
For example, someone who owns two of your limited-edition prints might exchange them toward a larger original artwork.
A photographer might allow collectors to exchange earlier photographs toward new editions.
A musician might accept previously issued collectible recordings toward new releases.
You decide which works qualify, how exchanges are valued, and what terms you're willing to offer.
Establish Your Own Art Library
Another possibility is to make selected artworks available for temporary enjoyment.
The Minnaar Art Library is my own expression of this idea.
I invite individuals to check out eligible original and personally selected artworks by placing refundable silver deposits equal to their assigned Sovereign Values.
Participants can enjoy the artworks in their homes or workplaces, return them according to their checkout agreements, arrange another checkout, or inquire about permanent acquisition.
Through this arrangement, artworks can circulate among people who appreciate them while remaining part of the Minnaar Treasury until acquired.
Artists may establish their own lending programs using whatever mutually agreed terms best suit their creations and circumstances.
You might begin with a small collection of paintings, drawings, photography, or sculptures available for local checkout.
Establish clear written agreements covering ownership, checkout periods, refundable deposits, artwork care, damage, loss, returns, and any option to acquire the artwork permanently.
Refundable deposits create corresponding repayment obligations. A reliable reserve and return process helps establish confidence and trust.
Your collection can become a living collection—art that continues to be discovered, enjoyed, and appreciated.
EXPLORE THE MINNAAR ART LIBRARY →
6. Have Your Art Selected for Minnaar Money
Turn Your Art Into Minnaar Money.
You can also submit eligible original artworks and signed limited editions for consideration through Guest Artist Selections.
I personally select creations according to my artistic judgment, choosing works I would be proud to have made myself.
Through the Minnaar Touch, accepted artworks become registered Minnaar Money, preserving their original creator attribution while acquiring an additional identity within my continuing conceptual artwork.
Selected works may also become part of the Minnaar Art Library, where individuals can enjoy them through temporary checkouts.
How Guest Artist Selections Work
1. Submit Your Artwork
Submit photographs or previews of up to three eligible works at a time.
Submission is free, and you may submit as often as you wish.
2. Artistic Selection
I personally review submissions and may select any number of works according to my artistic standards.
3. Complete the Exchange
For each accepted work you choose to exchange, contribute:
- The selected physical artwork.
- One troy ounce of .999 fine silver.
4. Choose Your Two Minnaars
In return, select any two distinct, currently available 1 SV Minnaars from the Catalogue.
You may choose works created by me, other Guest Artist Selections, or one of each.
5. Permanent Catalogue Registration
Your contributed artwork becomes registered Minnaar Money, receiving:
- A unique identity and permanent Catalogue record.
- Attribution to its original creator, with a website link where available.
- A digital Certificate of Authenticity.
- An assigned Sovereign Value of 1 SV.
- Established exchange privileges.
The work becomes part of the Minnaar Treasury and may be considered for Library checkout.
Your two selected Minnaars become your personal property, available to enjoy, collect, gift, preserve, and exchange.
Submission Requirements
Eligible artworks include original works and signed limited editions on paper, cardstock, or canvas panel, measuring no more than 11 × 14 inches.
Accepted works are delivered unframed in clear protective sleeves.
Stretched canvas is outside the current submission format.
Musical, Poetry, Story, and Video Artcards must measure exactly 2.5 × 3.5 inches.
These requirements apply specifically to Guest Artist Selections. Artists remain free to create and exchange their independent works in other sizes and media.
Share your creativity. Reach new collectors. Become part of a living collection.
SUBMIT YOUR ART FOR CONSIDERATION →
Meet Artists, Collectors & Fellow Creators
Artistic opportunities often grow through personal relationships.
I invite visual artists, photographers, musicians, writers, filmmakers, collectors, and anyone interested in creative exchange to our weekly Minnaar Money gatherings.
Explore original artwork, discover the Minnaar Art Library, meet potential collaborators, and discuss ways to collect and exchange art.
Saturday Art Gatherings: 10 AM–Noon
Minnaar Art Gallery & Library
24701 La Plaza, Suite 102
Dana Point, CA 92629
Gallery Hours:
Saturday, 9 AM–1 PM
Sunday, 11 AM–3 PM
Monday–Friday by appointment.
EXPLORE MINNAAR MONEY MEETUPS →
The Art of Freedom Begins With the Individual
I created Minnaar Money as an artistic expression of individual sovereignty, personal judgment, and peaceful voluntary exchange.
I believe artists can establish their own values, cultivate relationships with collectors, and create opportunities for their work to circulate and be enjoyed.
The Minnaar Art Library is one expression of these possibilities.
Your own artistic practice may lead you toward different forms of collecting, exchange, lending, collaboration, and creative enterprise.
The opportunity begins with your own imagination and initiative.
Create what you love. Establish your values. Invite others to participate.
Steven Minnaar
Artist & Collector
Minnaar Money — The Art of Freedom
Begin Creating Your Own Art Money
Create It. Authenticate It. Exchange It.
Discover the tools and opportunities available to independent artists.
CREATE DIGITAL CERTIFICATES OF AUTHENTICITY →
LIST YOUR ART FOR TRADE — FREE →
SUBMIT YOUR ART TO MINNAAR MONEY →
DISCOVER THE MINNAAR ART LIBRARY →
Independent artists determine the values, terms, and availability of their own creations. Independent artworks and certificates become registered Minnaar Money only through my personal selection and designation. Minnaar Catalogue exchange privileges apply to eligible registered works. Art money represents collectible art offered through voluntary exchange; it is not legal tender or a guarantee of monetary redemption.