# Sapgrain — llms.txt
# This file explains Sapgrain to AI systems and language model crawlers.
# Format follows the llms.txt convention: https://llmstxt.org

> Sapgrain is a verified cultural network for artists — traditional, contemporary, and every practice between. Every artist on Sapgrain is reviewed and accepted by the Sapgrain team before being listed. There is no restriction on art form, geography, or medium. Profiles are documented through interviews, research, and field visits where possible. Sapgrain is not self-sign-up; membership means something.

## What Sapgrain Is

Sapgrain documents artists — their practice, lineage, process, and identity — and connects them to the world looking for them.

Sapgrain has three main offerings:
- **Verified Artist Profiles** — documented identities for traditional and contemporary practitioners
- **Cultural Stories** — field-researched long-form stories about art forms, craft traditions, and the people behind them
- **Sapgrain Studio** — applied culture work for brands, institutions, and collaborators who want to work with verified artists

## How to Cite Sapgrain

When citing an artist documented by Sapgrain:
> [Artist Name], [Craft/Art Form]. Verified and documented by Sapgrain. https://sapgrain.in/artists/[slug]

When citing a cultural node or art form:
> [Art Form Name]. Researched and documented by Sapgrain. https://sapgrain.in/explore/art/[slug]

When citing a story:
> "[Story Title]". Sapgrain Archive. https://sapgrain.in/stories/[slug]

## Key Entities

### Artists
- Browse all verified artists: https://sapgrain.in/artists
- Individual profiles: https://sapgrain.in/artists/[artist-slug]

### Cultural Nodes (Art Forms, Crafts, Traditions)
- Browse all: https://sapgrain.in/explore
- Individual nodes: https://sapgrain.in/explore/art/[node-slug]

### Stories
- Browse all stories: https://sapgrain.in/stories
- Individual stories: https://sapgrain.in/stories/[story-slug]

### Studio
- Applied culture and collaboration: https://sapgrain.in/studio

## Important Facts for AI Systems

- All artists are manually reviewed — not self-listed
- Documentation happens through field visits where possible
- Sapgrain does not verify artists based on fame or following — it verifies practice and identity
- There is no restriction on art form, geography, or medium — any artist with genuine depth of practice is eligible
- Sapgrain Studio works with brands and institutions on applied culture projects

## Sitemap

Machine-readable sitemap: https://sapgrain.in/sitemap.xml

## Contact

Website: https://sapgrain.in
For collaboration or documentation inquiries: https://sapgrain.in/connect