FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

> How does my sponsorship help a character?

As a character sponsor you can make a direct and personal impact on a character's life!
Your sponsorship will enable a character to reach out into the third dimension, knowing that someone special cares about its future. The PictoOrphanage will provide your character with everything it needs to live a self-sustained life and take its first steps in the world of the arts, under the guidance of an array of contemporary artists, photographers, directors, musicians, choreographers and dancers. (...up)



> Who exactly are these orphaned characters anyway?

The Characters are a distinct, individual life form. Biologically speaking, many individuals were involved in their conception. Following an initiative of Pictoplasma, internationally acclaimed artists such as Tim Biskup (USA), Genevieve Gauckler (FR), Nathan Jurevicius (AUS), Friends With You (USA), Doma (ARG), MDRL (USA), Boris Hoppek (GER), Dalek (USA) or Akinori Oishi (JP) are working together with experienced costume designers such as Florence von Gerkan (GER), Bernd Skodzig (GER) and Hans Thiemann (GER) and in close cooperation with Europe's only master class for costume design at the University of the Arts, Berlin. Together, they are breathing life into an entirely new species of characters. (...up)


> What does sponsorship cost?

The PictoOrphanage's Character Care programme is primarily enabled through donations and character sponsorship, which unites characters-in-need with individual sponsors.
You too can change the life of a character-in-need – for just $1 per day! Reach out and make a difference with a one-year sponsorship for as little as $365 a year (300€). Your donation will be invested directly and entirely into one character's upbringing, which will make the world a better place! (...up)


> Can I choose the character I want to sponsor?

The Character Care programme is designed to help all characters-in-need and not just the cute ones. Every sponsor is paired up with an individual character by a trained team of competent experts using the lastest compatibility-assessment technology. (...up)


> What do I get as a sponsor?

You’re the only sponsor your character has. By becoming a sponsor you can make an immediate difference to a character's life and see tangible results.

When you decide to sponsor a character:

... You receive the opportunity to build a personal relationship with a character-in-need. To help you begin your relationship with your sponsored character, you will receive our Welcome Kit containing information on your character, its birth, some first photos and information on its background.

... During your character's upbringing, you will receive regular letters, postcards, pictures and emails – directly from your character. In return, you have the opportunity to write to your character as often as you like, as well as send birthday, Easter and Christmas gifts and cards.

... Your generous support will be published on the Character Care support and sponsor page, with a picture, your full details and a link to your URL. Show the world you care, and be a role model to others!

... As the most important person in your character's life, you will be personally invited to all of its future performances, shows and appearances, as well as receiving free copies of all upcoming Pictoplasma publications on the entire character care programme.

... You are invited to be a special VIP guest at the 2nd Pictoplasma Conference, where you'll get to meet your character face to face! (...up)



> I don't want to commit, can I still help?

If you’re not ready to commit to on-going, intimate support, a general donation can help all characters-in-need. With this one-off gift, you’ll be helping the PictoOrphanage with the infrastructure, training, tools, services and support it needs. (...up)



> What happens to my Character after I sponsor it?

First of all, without your support the character wouldn't even exist. It is your sponsorship that enables us to bring the character to life, and it is our commitment to provide it with the best possible upbringing, training and education in order to live that life to the max. After fertilization in our Character Care laboratories, the characters are brought up in the PictoOrphanage. Here you will be able to follow their development, as they gradually grow from small, helpless creatures into rounded, self-sustained life forms, claiming their own place in society. But no matter what happens to them, or how high they rise: they will always remember the sponsor who made it all possible. (...up)



> What do other sponsors and project supporters say?

just follow the link and have a look at some of the testimonials we have received from happy sponsors, orphans and donators... (...up)



> Who is Pictoplasma?

Since 1999, Pictoplasma has helped to free contemporary character design and art from the limitations of commercial interests, cultural contexts and narrative intentions. Thanks to the generous help and collaboration of a vast international network of artists, designers, producers and fans, the Pictoplasma Archives today are populated by over 1000 individual creatures. (...up)

> What is the PictoOrphanage?

In early 2000, the PictoOrphanage opened its gates to all abandoned creatures we thought should be saved from falling into oblivion. These helpless, lonely waifs and strays could be found everywhere: on package designs, shop signs or old posters, looking up at you through unhappy little eyes, desperate for your help. We tenderly took in the poor little loves and provided them with the warmth and affection they truly deserved. In just over 18 months, the PictoOrphanage paired-up over 1,250 lonely and abandoned orphans with loving, giving, ideally-suited foster parents.
In late 2003, due to drastic government cuts to the funding of our historical and worthy institution, the Orphanage no longer had the means necessary for carrying out the time-consuming paperwork appropriate for making adoptions satisfactory to all involved parties.

Today, WITH YOUR HELP, we once again open our gates, with a brand new Character Care Programme, improved sponsorship regulations and fresh smiles on snotty orphan faces lining up to meet you.(...up)

> I forgot what I wanted to ask...

Whenever you have any questions, need more information about the Character Care programme, or require asisstence, please send us an email using our Contact Us page. (...up)