Payments giant Visa is inviting Australian creative types to apply for a new one-year immersion program aimed at helping them navigate the world of non-fungible tokens.

The global program is geared towards digital-first artists, musicians, fashion designers and filmmakers serious about adding NFTs to their business model, whether they have several NFT drops under their belt or only have just minted their first one.

Participants will be given technical and product membership; community building; access to thought leaders; exposure to Visa’s clients and partners; and a one-time stipend to kick-start their next phase of growth.

Visa said that globally there are 50 million artists, musicians and creators generally publishing content as a full or part-time source of income, creating a market of around $100 billion.

“NFTs have the potential to become a powerful accelerator for the creator economy,” said Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s head of crypto.

“We’ve been studying the NFT ecosystem and its potential impacts on the future of commerce, retail and social media. Through the Visa Creator Program, we want to help this new breed of small and micro businesses tap into new mediums for digital commerce.”

Visa is already working with Micah Johnson, a retired Major League Baseball player who has been releasing his own line of NFTs, many of which show black children in an inspirational light. His story of a young black astronaut, Aku, last year was the first NFT optioned for film and TV, and his new line of Akutar 3D avatars drops on April 22.

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“In the early days of my NFT career, I relied on a community of NFT experts and advocates to ground me in this new world,” Johnson said.

“I’m excited to work with Visa in providing that same type of mentorship to emerging artists setting out on their NFT journey.”

Program participants will engage with mentors and other cohort members in a virtual and online community to share ideas and build relationships, no matter where they’re located. Visa said there’s planned interactive models, speakers and strategic programming to spark community building.

More details on the program are available on Visa’s website. The application deadline is May 11.