Crowd funding is becoming increasingly popular among creatives. With more sites springing up and more artists asking for funds, Don’t Take Pictures spotlights projects that benefit the arts community.

This month’s crowd funding roundup presents a project that make photography accessible to new audiences.

The PhotoBookMuseum

A photography book has the ability to encompass an entire exhibition in a portable, easily accessible medium. Exquisite prints, design, sequencing, and statements are combined with the art of bookbinding.

The PhotoBookMuseum is an initiative led by Markus Shaden of Schaden.com, who is considered one of the world’s leading photo book experts. The museum will be located in Cologne, Germany and will go beyond a display of books to become a full-fledged public institution producing exhibitions, archives, collections, events, and education dedicated to the photo book.

The multi-step plan involves a 2014 summer expo in Cologne featuring 24 exhibitions, five photo book studies, and other events and programs for a total of 43 days. Step 2 is to create an online museum scheduled to launch in 2015. Step 3 is a mobile museum for which customized shipping containers that house the museum will travel the world, making the photo books available to residents outside of Cologne. And finally, Step 4 creates a permanent residence in 2016 for photo books to be experienced by all.

The museum’s advisory board is comprised of notable photography book publishers from many different countries. They are requesting pledges of 25,000 euros to cover building, exhibition and materials expenses.

Read more about the museum by viewing the Indiegogo page. 

There are 53 days left to fund this project.

Do you know of a crowd funding project that benefits the art community? Let us know at info@donttakepictures.com.