NetzNetz is an Austrian community of net art groups, -initiatives and technicians, which is working on an interesting and ambitious alternative to the current system of distribution of government grant money for net art projects in Vienna. Instead of relying on the local government to remain up to date on technical developments, able to judge digital art and distribute art funds fairly, an experimental pilot project will put the distribution of grants in Vienna in the hands of the community itself, via the use of a reputation based voting system.
Critics fear that the system could lead to “cannibalism” within the scene, in that everyone would be pitted against everyone else, that it would lead to a system where those who make the loudest thunder receive the most money, at the expense of long-term projects and the participation in international projects. On the other hand, proponents of the idea cite its advantages as being democratic, transparent, non-bureaucratic and based on participation and the rewarding of collaboration.