W E L C O M E   to the first Newsletter for the TOP Artists Directory!


The project started about four weeks ago and since then we experienced a lot of controversial feedback. It is our aim to provide an open and ever-growing list of top artists here on DeviantART to make it easier for art appreciators, first of all newer deviants who look for some guidance in this huge community with its enormous variety and diversity of art. We want to thank all members who support our concept or even made useful suggestions to enhance it. We also thank you for all advanced constructive criticism that was given in the opening news article.

<sub>Please note: We want to stress that this article is supposed to be an informative newsletter and NOT a place for a new discussion about the pros and cons of this community project. So we must discourage criticism of this article and refer to the original news article if you want to express your opinion.

TOP Artists on DeviantART - Directory</sub>



I M P O R T A N T   N E W S

1. Monthly Newsletter
2. Monthly TOP Artist Feature
3. TAD Team
4. Already released Art Categories
5. Sample of listed lesser known Artists in DeviantART
6. Latest Additions

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1. Monthly Newsletter
   
   To keep all watchers and interested people updated we will release a monthly newsletter with the latest news around the directory, useful links and latest additions to the list.



2. Monthly TOP Artist Feature
   
   Every month we will award one listed top artist with a large gallery feature in the news to promote unknown or lesser known artists. Every feature will be dedicated to one of the main categories, starting with the category on top - Photography. All deviants are called to send in their suggestions of their favourite unknown ^{(=not more than 30.000 pageviews or 300 watchers}) Top Artist who belongs to the respective category and the 10 most frequently suggested artists will participate in a user poll to find out who will receive the monthly feature.



3. TAD Team
   
   After numerous suggestions the founder of the Top Artists Directory decided to select a team of moderators to maintain the various categories of the list. We proudly announce the first members of the TAD team!
   
   Please welcome:
   
   anubis for Traditional Art
   lilyas for general Digital Art
   DigitalPhenom for Designs & Interfaces
   AnnaKirsten for the Monthly TOP Artist Feature and assistant administrator
   
   
   Wanna Be a Moderator?
   
   We are looking for more qualified team members. If you are interested in moderating one of the open categories please send us a note to *TOP-ArtistsDirectory. Please put "Moderator Application" in the subject line. Your application should include the category you want to moderate and your reason why you feel that you are suitable for this position.
   
   Moderators tasks:
   
   
   • Find new candidates for the list in your respective category
   • Receive and review Top Artist suggestions
   • Add new artists to the list after approval of the team and notify those artists
   
   
   Moderators qualifications:
   
   
   • Your are an experienced artist in the field you want to moderate
   • You are an established member of the DA community, but you don't necessarily have to be a listed Top Artist.
   • Preference will be given to applicants over the age of 20
   
   
   
4. Already released Art Categories
   
   At the moment we have 14 main categories, 7 of them are already released:
   
   Photography | Traditional Art | Digital Art | Photomanipulation | Fractal Art | 3D Art | Designs & Interfaces
   
   For the complete category listing and other details please go to TOP Artists Directory's main journal.



5. Sample of listed lesser known Artists in DeviantART
   
   P H O T O G R A P H Y
   
   *martinpelzer | *Floriandra | *jchanders | *jadden | ~ZeEnigMa | ~catphrodite
   
   T R A D I T I O N A L   A R T
   
   ~ryoung | ~albertotarsicio | *astarvinartist | ~ricardomassucatto | *3dmirror | *karincharlotte | ~MarianKretschmer | *artyandy
   
   D I G I T A L   A R T
   
   *MBoulad | ~nmsmith | *ladydawg | ~ryoades | ~concept-on-mac | *StephanusEmbricanus | ~illugraphy
   
   P H O T O M A N I P U L A T I O N
   
   =zoozee | *ELYPhAS | *Wildfire2003 | *Arden18 | *sauco-m | *greymoccasin | *SmxDeadlyDesignz | *MaciejZielinski
   
   F R A C T A L   A R T
   
   *Aexion | *Kaeltyk | ~locomouse | ~Omron | *Quellist | *Velvet--Glove | ~subcarrier | *bluesman219 | *Fractal-Impact
   
   3 D   A R T
   
   *Waymaster | *Aral3D | *Lyndseyh | *swtmelode | ~Vehemel | *atomnett | *DarthMurda | *llebegue
   
   D E S I G N S & I N T E R F A C E S
   
   =H3LLB0uND | *Jedi88 | *ginkgografix | ~SKoriginals | ~Sleeping-Dragon | =lockjavv | *d37nu1l




6. Latest Additions
   
   To view the newest additions to the list please go to TOP Artists Directory's main journal!

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<sub>F R E Q U E N T L Y   A S K E D   Q U E S T I O N S


1. Is the Top Artists Directory an official DeviantART list?

No. The listings found at *TOP-ArtistsDirectory are unofficial. The views expressed on this website are those of the TOP-ArtistsDirectory Team alone and do not necessarily reflect those of deviantART or its Administration.

2. Is this an exclusive group of artists based on popularity?

No. The list is based on quality. But it doesn't mean a listed artist can't be popular at the same time.

3. What are the criteria to be included on the list?

You will find the answer in the main journal of the TOP Artists Directory.

4. What happens if an artist is qualified in more than one category?

If an artist qualifies for different sub categories within the same main category they will be listed in the category that fits best.

If an artist qualifies for different main categories they will be listed in a separate category called "Multi-talented Artists" with short descriptions of their artistic orientations. This category is not yet released.

5. Can I suggest myself?

Yes. But please think carefully before you make your suggestion. It may cause negative feelings if you are not selected. For reasons why an artist may not be selected please see the main journal of the TOP Artists Directory.

We could prevent these hurtful situations by banning self-suggestions but we want to maintain the opportunity to gain recognition without the need to rely on someone else suggesting you.

6. Can I suggest someone else?

Yes. We encourage suggestions but please be aware of the criteria as stated in the main journal of the TOP Artists Directory.

7. Is the criteria used for assessment biased in any way?

Whilst the Top Artists Directory was initiated by only one person, a team is now in process of being formed with the aim of being more widely representative across DeviantART.

8. Will the list ever be complete?

No.</sub>



Authors of this Newsletter:



Best regards and a Happy new Year!
*TOP-ArtistsDirectory