profiling & linking Arts Communitiesin South East Ireland using social media

Cathy Fitzgerald, ArtLinks Member & Director

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What is

innovative 5 county, local authority Arts programme for adult , amateur & professional arts practitioners:

in Co’s Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford & Wicklow

for literature, music, visual arts, dance, theatre /drama, film

for individuals, groups, bands, societies, festivals, arts managers, venues / art promoters2

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...3

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 learning

Mission4

4 main needs identified

1. local professional development courses2. targeted local funding > bursaries3. mentoring4. 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

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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...

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highlight the full ArtLinks Programme7

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...

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ArtLinks members’ work & skills – (members’ Profile Pages below)9

members can load their news, events, exhibitions, festivals, notices...10

…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

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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!

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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

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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

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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?

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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 1st web presence

for some members members ongoing input into its design &

functionality -it’s their website!

(website built by ArtLinks members: web developer, Fergal O’Hanlon, original design by ArtLinks member &illustrator, Ale Mercado, web consultancy by ArtLinks member & musician/podcaster, Ken McGuire etc)

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thank you

email me info@artlinks.ie 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!)

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