Why This Matters

Protecting Intellectual Property:

For many, art is the only thing they truly own. Too often, this work is stolen or “lost” during cell raids and mailroom processing by those in positions of authority. Delphian Magazine exists to give a voice to the voiceless and to shine a harsh, revealing light on any who uses another’s creativity for their own gain. Through our unique Dual-Licensing model, we provide a permanent archival record of each artist’s work through a non-terminable editorial license, ensuring their voice is never erased, while maintaining their commercial rights.

Ending Predatory Exploitation:

The “prison art” market is often predatory, with outside platforms purchasing original works for a pittance only to resell them for a premium. Delphian stands as a nonprofit safeguard, ensuring that the value of an artist’s labor is respected, not mined for someone else’s profit.

A Sanctuary Against Loss:

In an environment designed to erase identity, a lifetime of creative output can vanish in an instant. By publishing this art, we create a permanent, indelible record. Furthermore, we believe artists should own their future; our ‘Sanctuary’ model includes a formal Right of Repurchase, allowing artists or their empowered agent to reclaim physical works from our gallery at a structured rate, returning the art to the hands that created it.

Visibility is Dignity:

Visibility is the ultimate form of protection. When an artist is known to a community, they are no longer an anonymous number; they are a creator whose voice demands respect.

Protection

Printing and mailing the first 1,000+ issues to incarcerated individuals in California state prisons for free

Amplification

Building Pythian Gallery LLC to provide artists with economic agency through our professional Royalty Model.

Expansion

Reaching more facilities to build a network of accountability and support across the state.

Grassroots Reward Tiers

$25 – The Spark
You helped start a movement.

Name listed on our Digital Wall of Gratitude
Personal thank-you email from the Delphian team

$50 – The Witness
You helped amplify voices from the inside.

All previous rewards
A digital preview of the first issue before public release

$100 – The Bridge
You connected the outside world to untold stories.

All previous rewards
Your name printed in the “Thank You” section of Issue #1

$250 – The Root
You planted the seeds of change.

All previous rewards
Physical copy of Delphian Magazine Issue #1 mailed to you

$500 – The Keeper
You are a protector of these voices.

All previous rewards
Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates on the magazine’s impact
Your name listed in the “Founder’s Circle” inside the magazine
A certificate of recognition as a Founding Guardian of the Sanctuary Model.

$1,000 – The Light
You’ve helped light the path forward.

All previous rewards
Handwritten thank-you note from the Delphian team

$2,500 – The Advocate (For Organizations)
Your organization is helping bring this vision to life.

Featured recognition on the Delphian website and Pythian Gallery LLC platform, and in the first issue as an “Advocate Sponsor”.
A framed thank-you certificate to display at your organization

Notify Me When Crowdfunding Launches

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who owns the art once it’s submitted?
A: The artist always retains ownership. We utilize a Dual-Licensing framework: a non-terminable license for the magazine’s archives (to ensure their voice is never erased) and a terminable commercial license for the gallery that ends if the artist chooses to repurchase their work.

Q: Will incarcerated artists be paid or compensated?
A: Yes. We utilize a professional Royalty Model to ensure artists gain financial agency from their work.

For the Magazine: There is no direct “per-submission” payment for appearing in the printed magazine, as it is a nonprofit platform for amplification.
For the Gallery: If an artist’s work is selected for sale, licensing, or merchandise through Pythian Gallery LLC, the artist receives a structured royalty from every sale.
The Sanctuary Model: To ensure the artist remains the ultimate stakeholder, they (or their representatives) maintain a Right of Repurchase. They may reclaim their physical artwork from the gallery at 60% of its appraised value at any time prior to a third-party sale.

Note: Not all artwork will be chosen for merchandising or auction opportunities.

Q: When will I receive my reward?
A: All rewards will be fulfilled after the official launch of Delphian Magazine. This allows us to focus on launching the magazine effectively while ensuring that your reward is delivered with the attention and quality it deserves. We’ll keep you informed with updates along the way.

Q: Is this project affiliated with or endorsed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)?
A: No. Delphian Magazine is an independent, nonprofit project and is not affiliated with CDCR or any governmental agency.

Q: Can incarcerated people outside of California receive the magazine?
A: Due to budget and mailing limitations, free physical copies are only available to individuals incarcerated in California state prisons (CDCR). We hope to expand access in the future as funding grows.

Q: What will the funds be used for?
A: Donations will help cover printing and mailing costs, basic operations, and support the full-time development of Delphian’s infrastructure, artist outreach, and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Pythian Gallery LLC. This ensures a professional platform for artist amplification and economic agency.

Q: What if the campaign doesn’t reach its goal?
A: We’ll still move forward, just at a smaller scale. Every contribution helps us amplify the voices of incarcerated artists and bring this project to life.