WAVE-Y 6: WHALE x Time To Be Happy Gallery Partnership

Proposer/Captain: mongoose 413102425793101824

Purpose: To establish a year-long partnership between WHALE DAO and Time to Be Happy Gallery in NYC, with a $15,000 budget to support physical event activations, artist engagement, WHALE Vault showcases, and branding presence. The partnership provides a physical foothold for WHALE in a premier art district, alongside leading Web3 and contemporary art institutions, and enables deeper community engagement through curated in-person experiences.

Single Decision Point: • Should WHALE DAO negotiate with Time To Be Happy Gallery for a 1 year physical partnership with a budget of up to $15,000?

Proposed Timeline: • Mongoose is requesting this be approved as an Instant Proposal per WAVE Policy • Voting: ASAP • Duration: June 2025 through Q2 2026

**Key Milestones: ** • Anchor Event: June 2025 NFTNYC • Quarterly: 3-5 seasonal activations from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026

Anticipated Outcomes: • Establishment of WHALE as a physical presence in NYC's art scene • Strengthening of WHALE’s brand visibility and Web3 arts leadership • Regular in-person exposure for WHALE Vault art and artists • Deeper engagement with collectors, curators, and new audiences • Expansion of partnerships within NYC and global art/Web3 communities

Budget: Total Request: $15,000 Breakdown: • $10,000: Gallery sponsorship to support artist residency program, physical hosting, and curatorial support • $3,000: Event costs (food, beverage, signage, seating, rentals) • $2,000: Media capture, design, marketing, coordination, and signage Funding Source: WHALE DAO Treasury

Risk Analysis: • Low turnout — mitigated by leveraging Benzi’s established audience and the high-traffic location • Event fatigue — spacing out events avoids burnout and overproduction • Limited artist availability — Vault showcases will proceed regardless, artists will be invited but not required

Impact: This proposal aligns with WHALE DAO’s mission to: • Showcase Vault assets as cultural artifacts • Build bridges between digital and physical arts • Support artists through curated, Web3-native partnerships • Increase visibility and access for broader audiences The gallery sits just steps from SuperRare’s new space and the New Museum’s expanding footprint—placing WHALE squarely in the heart of NYC’s resurgent Web3 and digital arts scene.

Key Metrics & KPIs: • 5 physical events co-hosted or curated (1 NFTNYC + 4 seasonal) • 3–6 Vault artworks displayed at each event • 150–250 total attendees across events • 10,000+ total social impressions via promotion and documentation • 3–5 QR code activations or wallet engagements • At least 2 artists engaged or onboarded into WHALE programming • Ongoing WHALE branding visibility in the gallery for 12 months

Partners & Team: • Mongoose & Wes: Program management, curatorial support, coordination • Benzi X profile: Venue, event production, hospitality, residency management • WHALE Artists: When possible for in-person events, talks, panels • WHALE DAO: Vault contributions, content creation, branding

Supporting Documents: Time To Be Happy:
https://timetobehappy.io/

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1la1KtPayWSlJ9nGHpcjx8aY9Eqj6c0mIgnwwDb5fELs/edit?usp=sharing + https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oaNYHZFuU_Y_3JXT6pPk1TYTmsBI2KjaJM6wuk4bono/edit?usp=sharing