Truth is, it's about relationships, which need to be established/nurtured as much old-school (in person) as they are via technology.
Keep it all technologically simple to facilitate reader sharing. Blog within an established platform like WordPress or Blogger, with postings accessible via RSS feed and pictures/video sharable and embeddable outside of it. I am a fan of Creative Commons licensing. Leverage readers’ social circles (i.e. email, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Flickr). Emphasize listening/responding to them. Become the growing portfolio/resource showing the breadth and inclusiveness of your community's arts circles.
Create regularly-appearing topics (i.e. visual arts Mon., music Wed., theater Fri.). Readers learn routines and tune in for their favorites. It keeps workload manageable. Layer special topics/features over this.
Have editors and reporters tweet as they work. Especially pictures: of an interview, behind-the-scenes (of the art); a piece/costume preview; or intriguing question/quote. Work hand-in-hand with other media. Leverage those relationships you already have; learn to develop the ones you need.
Help arts organizations participate directly, but not with a press kit or puffery. Give them a format and guidelines for submitting to a regular feature: 10 Pictures | 10 Questions. “Dear organizations/artists: Create for us a slide show that takes us behind the show/performance/work. Give your answers some real thought. No studio shots. Same questions for everyone. Answers must be 50 words or fewer.”
It’s art. Tell the story in images as much as in writing. Use video and audio when it tells the story. Nothing for technology’s sake. Avoid reviews (they’re everywhere). Ditch the “society” snapshot where the artist and benefactors hold glasses of wine during opening.
Instead, show the mess they caused: work jeans, dust, splattered paint, discards, and sweat. Tell the story leading to the work, including education, politics, and funding. Where do ideas come from? What is this show like during setup, chorography, costuming, and rehearsal? Why this (these) selection(s), artist(s)? What brought you to this medium, series, or set? What does the audience look like from the stage? How do differing generations or cultures react?
Make it a point to explore non-traditional arts, especially those challenging convention. Is graffiti art? What do officials or authorities naysay even as we appreciate it? What’s hot on skateboards, surfboards, custom cars? (Or Is that question outdated?) What wows at open-mic night? Is there breakout talent in quilting, weaving, welding, glass, or home-made musical instruments? Have you seen NYC's trash bag vent sculptures? More local, how about a respected UCSD professor of percussion?
Accomplish this via a network of sources and stringers inside the spectrum of creative circles. Tap into/include arts educators, especially those enlivening history, illuminating technique, or exploring new territory. Maintain a list of “must-sees” that do not appear on anyone else’s list.
Create regularly-appearing topics (i.e. visual arts Mon., music Wed., theater Fri.). Readers learn routines and tune in for their favorites. It keeps workload manageable. Layer special topics/features over this.
Have editors and reporters tweet as they work. Especially pictures: of an interview, behind-the-scenes (of the art); a piece/costume preview; or intriguing question/quote. Work hand-in-hand with other media. Leverage those relationships you already have; learn to develop the ones you need.
Help arts organizations participate directly, but not with a press kit or puffery. Give them a format and guidelines for submitting to a regular feature: 10 Pictures | 10 Questions. “Dear organizations/artists: Create for us a slide show that takes us behind the show/performance/work. Give your answers some real thought. No studio shots. Same questions for everyone. Answers must be 50 words or fewer.”
It’s art. Tell the story in images as much as in writing. Use video and audio when it tells the story. Nothing for technology’s sake. Avoid reviews (they’re everywhere). Ditch the “society” snapshot where the artist and benefactors hold glasses of wine during opening.
Instead, show the mess they caused: work jeans, dust, splattered paint, discards, and sweat. Tell the story leading to the work, including education, politics, and funding. Where do ideas come from? What is this show like during setup, chorography, costuming, and rehearsal? Why this (these) selection(s), artist(s)? What brought you to this medium, series, or set? What does the audience look like from the stage? How do differing generations or cultures react?
Make it a point to explore non-traditional arts, especially those challenging convention. Is graffiti art? What do officials or authorities naysay even as we appreciate it? What’s hot on skateboards, surfboards, custom cars? (Or Is that question outdated?) What wows at open-mic night? Is there breakout talent in quilting, weaving, welding, glass, or home-made musical instruments? Have you seen NYC's trash bag vent sculptures? More local, how about a respected UCSD professor of percussion?
Accomplish this via a network of sources and stringers inside the spectrum of creative circles. Tap into/include arts educators, especially those enlivening history, illuminating technique, or exploring new territory. Maintain a list of “must-sees” that do not appear on anyone else’s list.
Add events: attend, participate, and organize your own.
Rinse. Repeat.
Rinse. Repeat.
Public relations geek, consultant, writer, speaker, social media explorer, surfer (the ocean kind), paraglider... maybe even some kind of artist.