How Synchronized Collecting Became A Movement on Tezos
Emerging within the Tezos art community is an initiative that’s been making waves, called “This Is A Raid” (TIAR). It takes the spirit of collective support to another level with coordinated group raids. But what exactly is a raid? Don’t worry, no one’s getting doxxed, and no doors are being kicked in. This is a different kind of raid. No tear gas, just explosions of support.
TIAR started as a group of art enthusiasts who met through their mutual love of the artists they discovered in the Tezos art community. Through a simple voting process, the TIAR collective organizes synchronized purchasing events where members collect artwork from a selected artist on Tezos. This results in a surge of sales, increased visibility, and a social media boost that helps artists break through the algorithmic noise.
As a member myself, I have seen firsthand the positive impact this collective is making on the Tezos community, and I want to share those experiences with all of you. So, let’s take a closer look at how this initiative operates and why it’s become such a force in the Tezos art scene.
How TIAR Operates
The core of TIAR is a simple group chat on X, where members actively share artists they love. These artists are added to a shared Google spreadsheet, and every member is given six votes to distribute however they choose. They can put all six votes toward one artist or spread them across multiple artists. This system ensures that raids are guided by community interest rather than any hierarchy.
Anyone in the group can initiate a raid at any time, for any reason, but most of the time raiders follow the voting sheet’s results. This interesting open-end is intentional to encourage the collecting of art regardless of spreadsheets. Sometimes you collect amazing art that blows you away and you want to share it somewhere, and then others want to join.
When a raid begins, so does the excitement, with everyone purchasing work from the chosen artist and posting about it on X in unison. The group then amplifies each other’s posts with likes, retweets, and comments. This coordinated effort drives engagement, boosts sales, and introduces new audiences to deserving artists. Raided artists have even made it to the Objkt homepage for top 24-hour sales numerous times, which is a huge accomplishment for any artist, big or small.
Social media algorithms can bury posts before they reach the right audience, and for professional artists waiting for a sale can mean missing a bill’s due date. TIAR works to uplift artists on Tezos with its coordinated collecting, posting, and engagement.
How Do Raiders Afford This Initiative?
Joining the raid group doesn’t come with financial obligations. Tez doesn’t grow on trees (though staking comes close), and every collector moves at their own pace. Many raiders fund their participation from their own budget, driven by a genuine love for collecting art. Others earn tez by selling their own art and then use a portion of their earnings to collect. However, for those who need a boost, the Tezos community always finds a way to offer support.
The collective has established a dedicated treasury, known as The Raid Wallet, where members can request funds to take part in active raids. Generous donations from various Tezos entities have strengthened this initiative, ensuring that TIAR raiders aren’t left out due to financial constraints.
Sustainability remains a key focus for the group. Some artists who have been raided and later joined the collective have pledged to reinvest into the raid wallet, allocating a portion of their future primary sales of certain NFT releases, to keep the movement alive. I’ll be taking part in this as well, creating art specifically to help replenish The Raid Wallet as a way to give back to this initiative that has allowed me to collect work I truly cherish from artists I admire.
What Makes an Artist “Raidable”?
While TIAR is open to all artists and genres, certain factors help determine who gets added to the voting sheet. The goal is to support artists in a way that benefits both them and the collective.
Available Artwork — Artists with multiple pieces listed for primary sales are more likely to be raided. This ensures there’s enough art for everyone to collect, and that the artist is receiving the full benefit of the raid.
Active on Tezos & X — Artists who regularly mint on Tezos and engage on X have a better chance of being noticed. A strong presence also helps amplify the impact of a raid, as the artist can interact with collectors and keep the momentum going.
Accessible Pricing — Affordability plays a key role. While prices vary, most raided artists offer works under 10 tez or have a range of price points. This allows more participants to join in and makes raids sustainable over time.
These aren’t strict rules, just general guidelines that help keep raids fair, effective, and sustainable.
Born From A Pure Love For The Arts
One of the most powerful aspects of TIAR is its self-sustaining nature. What began as a few avid collectors deciding to combine efforts has become a vibrant community of 30 people strong. Many artists who have been raided end up joining the group, eager to pay it forward. This cycle of support continues to expand, bringing more visibility and success to artists within the Tezos ecosystem.
Let’s hear from some of the members of TIAR about their personal experiences with raids.
Some Testimonials From Raid Group Members
“TIAR for us means support. It feels wonderful to meet an artist that another artist recommends. It’s an experience to make a real impact on someone else, and we can all be raided. We were raided, and we know it feels incredible when a community chooses you to collect your art as much as they can. Being inside the group, we see that it’s free, open, and anyone can start a movement, so it also feels powerful to be inside this impact and make it move. It’s like a dream for an artist, and as much as we do it, we confirm it more.” — Bosque Gracias
“Being raided is an emotional experience. It’s a surprise that reminds us we are seen and appreciated — not just as artists, but as people. Especially when sales are low and visibility feels like an uphill battle against the Twitter algorithm, a raid can mean everything. I had no idea the group even existed before I was raided. When it happened, I couldn’t believe it. I knew right away that I wanted to be part of it, to contribute and share that same feeling with others. Many artists struggle to be noticed, and TIAR gives us a way to support each other. Even when I’m low on tez, I try to participate. The group makes it easier, and trust me, it’s worth every single penny. Buying from a fellow artist in a raid feels just as powerful as being raided myself. I’m so grateful, proud, and committed to giving back. Some artists truly need these funds to keep going, and TIAR is a lifeline. Thank you to everyone in the community. I’ll keep raiding for as long as I can.” — Paraxenod
“TIAR is the true spirit of the Tezos community, where people are part of something bigger than themselves and it is having a positive impact on many talented but underrated artists.” — TeraBitcoins
“TIAR raided me at a time I was feeling isolated yet grounded in myself, and it was a beautiful moment that reaffirmed to me that even though I am alone, my work has value, my presence has value, and that I have found a home here. Each raid I have participated in since its founding has been in whatever way I can in that moment, such as purchasing work or sharing artwork from the artist or engaging on posts. That flexibility and accessibility of participation has always been wonderful. I learn of and meet new artists through TIAR, and it brings me so much joy to see others experience the focus of the raid so they also experience the wonderful, affirming glow of it.” — Malicious Sheep
“I love imagining the feeling of the artist winning the vote, and receiving monetary LOVE for their creation. TIAR has inspired my soul and I’m proud to be apart of this amplification of spirit.” — Airsol
TIAR Has A Website!
Thanks to community all-star developer Skllzrmy, TIAR also has a website. You can visit thisisaraid.xyz to discover a feed that showcases all past raided artists, as well as links to each artist’s Objkt portfolio and socials. There is also a tab that links you to the TIAR curation on Objkt, where the group adds the art they purchase after every raid. Another thing you can access from the website is the Raid Sheet which showcases the nominations and votes for future raids. Here, you can also see who is active in the raid group. Everything is intended to be transparent and democratic.
Another Movement That Keeps Growing
TIAR is a true testament to the power of community-driven support in the Tezos art community. What started as a simple idea has grown into an ongoing movement, fueled by generosity, passion, empathy, a love for the arts, and a shared commitment to uplifting artists. Every raid strengthens the bond between collectors and creators, proving that Web3 doesn’t have to be a solo journey. As the group continues to evolve, its impact will continue expanding, bringing well-deserved recognition to artists and reinforcing the collaborative spirit that makes the Tezos community so special.
This Is A Raid (TIAR): A Community Empowering Tezos Artists was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.