Yancey Strickler on artist power, interdependent networks, and a zip file worth thousands.

What happens when creative people stop looking for a seat at the table and build a table of their own? For generations, society has treated the artist's life as an economic sideline, a romanticized, piecemeal struggle. Today, we are witnessing a structural revolution. With Colorado recently passing the nation's first Artist Corporation legislation in June 2026, we are reissuing our definitive conversation with the architect of that very movement, Yancey Strickler. As the co-founder of Kickstarter, Metalabel, and A-Corp, Yancey has dedicated his life to equipping creators with the structural tools to act as real entrepreneurs. In this expansive conversation, we trace the line between blue-collar artistry and private equity, explore why the industry trades meaning for convenience, and look closely at how interdependent networks can finally break the cycle of artistic exploitation.