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ArtLInks Director talk at Irish Arts Council Seminar on New Media

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ArtLinks
ArtLinks

ArtLinks is an arts program in southeast Ireland that connects local artists through a website and other initiatives. The website profiles members' work, provides information on opportunities and funding, and allows members to network. It addresses needs identified through consultation, like access to professional development and mentoring. Over 1,000 members use the site as a key resource. Challenges include engaging diverse members who vary in technology skills and access. The site continues evolving based on member input to better serve the artistic community in the region.

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profiling & linking Arts Communities in South East Ireland using social media Cathy Fitzgerald, ArtLinks Member & Director
What is innovative 5 county, local authority Arts programme for adult , amateur & professional arts practitioners: in Cos Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford & Wicklow for literature, music, visual arts, dance, theatre /drama, film for individuals, groups, bands, societies, festivals, arts managers, venues / art promoters
between local arts practitioners, Arts Offices & the Arts Council started in 2006 with consultation to all practitioners in region their needs formed basis for the ArtLinks Professional Development programme a unique partnership...
to cultivate a culture of self-sufficiency & collaboration among arts practitioners Aim: provide accessible opportunities for all to gain: skills, knowledge and understanding to develop their work practices & careers for members & Arts Office staff to share skills & experiences, engage in peer learnin g Mission
4 main needs identified local professional development courses targeted local funding > bursaries mentoring access to information (website): arts opportunities, funding, news ability to network/ share/learn from others in region improve profile of arts & working practitioners across region & nationally
a central website was designed... while most Arts Offices had some existing online information, it was often rarely accessed by creative community, often difficult to update, had no interactive features and buried in local authority websites A dedicated, regional arts website was highly desirable to...
highlight the full ArtLinks Programme
ArtLinks.ie website provides info on courses bursaries local Arts Office news & opportunities and most importantly it began to profile local MEMBERS CREATIVE WORK & SKILLS ...
ArtLinks members work & skills (members Profile Pages below)
members can load their news, events, exhibitions, festivals, notices...
and network /discuss / share on the forum << recent placement of forum on homepage, has led to more activity ArtLinks has run the first Blogging for the Arts (May 08), and the Using template Portfolio sites for Visual Artists/Makers courses- giving members more skills in promoting their work on the ArtLinks site & Internet
over its first year initially website was quite static but popular - requests for other features raised by members for its first revision have just been completed Oct 08 now close to 1000th member, with little advertising now largest Arts Directory/Resource site in the region with content mainly created by members!
continuing to engage members... ongoing communication with members is key for to identify needs director attending free PodCampIreland.com & CreativeCamp social media events helped in development; Director as artist has also actively engaged in social media use for her own art practice (her blog, template portfolio, youtube, blurb book sites below) now confident in proposing features/ideas for members ArtLinks site
new website features launched oct 08 improved forum was important use of RSS: to bring in Arts Council news, to bring in members Blogs & to feed ArtLinks News and Events directly to members pages, readers/emails keeps membership active/connected Introduced social media links to easily profile/share members creative work; their locations of studios, venues, courses using Google maps members add all these features to their Profile Pages
challenges engaging everyone18 and above, members very diverse a mix of informal & formally educated members often economically challenged understanding technology varies widely; access ltd in rural areas, poor/nil broadband in S.E, limited access to basic pc training currently designing printed material to assist users with limited internet skills on best use of site
future & potential ArtLinks identity still growing ArtLinks Directory is becoming valued locally by practitioners, curators, arts/events organisers, venues, local media uncovering / developing networks of local cultural wealth Potential to tie in with tourism, help develop local creative economies Idea: art trail mapping with New Members Google maps feature?
summary: website artlinks.ie is critical in developing, connecting ArtLinks community its cost effective but has to be easy for less experienced users, & continue to engage younger users note: ArtLinks.ie often 1 st web presence for some members members ongoing input into its design & functionality - its their website! ( website built by ArtLinks members: web developer, Fergal OHanlon, original design by ArtLinks member &illustrator, Ale Mercado, web consultancy by ArtLinks member & musician/podcaster, Ken McGuire etc)
thank you email me [email_address] or linkedin.com/in/cathyfitz Keep in touch: signup for ArtLinks e-newsletter or if in area & in Arts, YOU CAN register now at ArtLinks.ie (looking forward to seeing your work too!)

More Related Content

ArtLInks Director talk at Irish Arts Council Seminar on New Media

  • 1. profiling & linking Arts Communities in South East Ireland using social media Cathy Fitzgerald, ArtLinks Member & Director
  • 2. What is innovative 5 county, local authority Arts programme for adult , amateur & professional arts practitioners: in Cos Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford & Wicklow for literature, music, visual arts, dance, theatre /drama, film for individuals, groups, bands, societies, festivals, arts managers, venues / art promoters
  • 3. between local arts practitioners, Arts Offices & the Arts Council started in 2006 with consultation to all practitioners in region their needs formed basis for the ArtLinks Professional Development programme a unique partnership...
  • 4. to cultivate a culture of self-sufficiency & collaboration among arts practitioners Aim: provide accessible opportunities for all to gain: skills, knowledge and understanding to develop their work practices & careers for members & Arts Office staff to share skills & experiences, engage in peer learnin g Mission
  • 5. 4 main needs identified local professional development courses targeted local funding > bursaries mentoring access to information (website): arts opportunities, funding, news ability to network/ share/learn from others in region improve profile of arts & working practitioners across region & nationally
  • 6. a central website was designed... while most Arts Offices had some existing online information, it was often rarely accessed by creative community, often difficult to update, had no interactive features and buried in local authority websites A dedicated, regional arts website was highly desirable to...
  • 7. highlight the full ArtLinks Programme
  • 8. ArtLinks.ie website provides info on courses bursaries local Arts Office news & opportunities and most importantly it began to profile local MEMBERS CREATIVE WORK & SKILLS ...
  • 9. ArtLinks members work & skills (members Profile Pages below)
  • 10. members can load their news, events, exhibitions, festivals, notices...
  • 11. and network /discuss / share on the forum << recent placement of forum on homepage, has led to more activity ArtLinks has run the first Blogging for the Arts (May 08), and the Using template Portfolio sites for Visual Artists/Makers courses- giving members more skills in promoting their work on the ArtLinks site & Internet
  • 12. over its first year initially website was quite static but popular - requests for other features raised by members for its first revision have just been completed Oct 08 now close to 1000th member, with little advertising now largest Arts Directory/Resource site in the region with content mainly created by members!
  • 13. continuing to engage members... ongoing communication with members is key for to identify needs director attending free PodCampIreland.com & CreativeCamp social media events helped in development; Director as artist has also actively engaged in social media use for her own art practice (her blog, template portfolio, youtube, blurb book sites below) now confident in proposing features/ideas for members ArtLinks site
  • 14. new website features launched oct 08 improved forum was important use of RSS: to bring in Arts Council news, to bring in members Blogs & to feed ArtLinks News and Events directly to members pages, readers/emails keeps membership active/connected Introduced social media links to easily profile/share members creative work; their locations of studios, venues, courses using Google maps members add all these features to their Profile Pages
  • 15. challenges engaging everyone18 and above, members very diverse a mix of informal & formally educated members often economically challenged understanding technology varies widely; access ltd in rural areas, poor/nil broadband in S.E, limited access to basic pc training currently designing printed material to assist users with limited internet skills on best use of site
  • 16. future & potential ArtLinks identity still growing ArtLinks Directory is becoming valued locally by practitioners, curators, arts/events organisers, venues, local media uncovering / developing networks of local cultural wealth Potential to tie in with tourism, help develop local creative economies Idea: art trail mapping with New Members Google maps feature?
  • 17. summary: website artlinks.ie is critical in developing, connecting ArtLinks community its cost effective but has to be easy for less experienced users, & continue to engage younger users note: ArtLinks.ie often 1 st web presence for some members members ongoing input into its design & functionality - its their website! ( website built by ArtLinks members: web developer, Fergal OHanlon, original design by ArtLinks member &illustrator, Ale Mercado, web consultancy by ArtLinks member & musician/podcaster, Ken McGuire etc)
  • 18. thank you email me [email_address] or linkedin.com/in/cathyfitz Keep in touch: signup for ArtLinks e-newsletter or if in area & in Arts, YOU CAN register now at ArtLinks.ie (looking forward to seeing your work too!)