Of interest to Arts Audiences readers will be posts she has written outlining how to get going with a wordpress website. It’s actually very easy, and in these posts, she lays it all out very clearly;
In another post, Sinead gives a simple introductory explanation of how Theatre companies can use social media.
If people want to be kept up to date with the rest of the series – blogging is next – they can subscribe by RSS and email.
Finally worth mentioning that she has also set up a website called startatheatrecompany.com which provide a series of training modules for those looking to set up a theatre company, giving practical advice on business plans, budgeting, strategy as well as on audience development, marketing, and all that jazz!
This is a heads up… Platform Ireland, a dedicated online portal for Irish arts and culture content, is due to go live with a soft launch this month.
The site will bring together Irish arts and culture content from across all artforms, creating an online focal point where web users from around Ireland and the world can engage with Irish art and culture.
.
a pre -launch peek at the site:
.
In the Global Economic Forum in Farmleigh last month, a consenus emerged that arts and culture should be one of the foundations of the rebuilding of Ireland – delegate Shane O’Neill summed it up saying “There was a general consensus that culture was one thing we’ve excelled at” (Irish Times 26/9/09).
If this is indeed the case, then Platform Ireland could well play a part in this process, bringing the work of Irish artists to international audiences, in ways that a multitude of individual arts websites could not.
Further details will be posted here when the site goes live. Platform Ireland is being developed by Jessica Fuller of Stillpoint Productions, to get on their mailing list, or if you feel you have content which could be included, contact details are available on Stillpoint’s website.
If you’re not on LinkedIn, you might, for a moment, fight the initial reaction of ‘oh no, not another drain on my time!‘ and read on, as what follows may be of interest to those working in an arts management context.
.
.
Firstly though, for those already on Linkedin – this is advise you we’ve set up an Arts Ireland group (hence the new logo above). The aim this group is to provide an online space where those working in the management and administration of the arts in Ireland can discuss and exchange ideas, find support, make contacts, find work opportunities etc.
With 60 members and rising, all are welcome! Click here to join; Arts Ireland Group
(we only ask that you are working, seeking to work, or have an active interest in arts management and administration in Ireland).
**
For those unsure / unclear of what exactly Linkedin is;
Linked In is a professional social networking site, and as such is a powerful tool to help you access a wide network of professional contacts.
Where a site such as facebook keeps you in touch with friends, Linkedin is about keeping in touch with colleagues (and friends) in a professional capacity. As such, the functionality of the site is geared accordingly (and there is not a holiday photograph in sight).
One aspect of the site I find very useful is the ability to access an extended network of people outside my own circle.
For example, imagine I am looking for a web designer with experience of designing a site incorporating a ticketing system, and that I know no one who can do this. This is what I do;
In Linkedin I search my contacts’ contacts using specific search terms
I find my friends Joe, Sue and George each have a different contact who can do this (Joe, Sue and George don’t have to respond to me, the search is automatic)
I phone Joe, Sue and George and ask them if they can recommend their contact
very quickly I get an idea of the right person for the job without much effort
.
holiday photos: not on Linkedin
.
It’s like word of mouth on steroids. When you start to use groups, this becomes even more powerful. Every group members can post a question which all the group will see – they can choose whether or not to respond. So, I could ask the group (most of whom I won’t know personally) for advice on a web designer with specific experience, and get advice from all sort of people I don’t know.
Many of you are familiar with discussion forums (like the fantastic boards.ie) so the idea might not be so new. What we are hoping for Arts Ireland, is that the group becomes a discussion forum specifically for arts management and administration in Ireland – and this will only work if a critical mass of people get involved.
Well, by now you probably get the idea. If you’re curious, the best and easiest thing to do is give it a go. It’s free, you can give as little or as much personal information when you’re setting up your personal account, which can take as little as 5 minutes. For those interested in a bit more explanation, this film explains the concept a bit more…
OK, we all know, 98% of statistics are made up, but according to a McKinsey study, 1 in 8 of all couples married in the US in 2006 met first online… so we learn from the short film “Social Media Revolution” currently doing the rounds. For those interested in a quick look at the exponential growth of social media, this presents a compelling case for getting an awareness of what is going on. However, if you’ve an aversion to statistics, turn away!
Many will be familiar with TED – the ‘ideas’ conference which takes place annually in Long Beach, California. For those unfamiliar, the TED site is well worth a look – with hundreds of presentations on every kind of subject from becoming a buddha to the future of the electric car, there is, as the saying goes, something for everyone.
The TED site says; “We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world“, so in this context it’s great to see a lot of interesting arts material to be found here. Some examples;
A talk by Brazilian visual artist Vik Muniz, (readers may have seen a solo exhibition of his work in IMMA some years back)
.
.
an inspiring look at classical music and ‘one-buttock’ piano playing….
.
.
Finally, poetry like I’ve never heard it performed before;
With thanks to Declan Doherty for the current banner photograph, of 'Walk the Plank' pyrotechnics company at Cosán Glas, Machaire Raghartaigh, presented by Saothar Ealaíne as part of Earagail Arts Festival 2007
Comments (0) 
