Size Doesn't Matter -collaboration, sharing and creating.

[Chris Hammond]

About 6 weeks ago we (Full Circle Arts) were awarded funding for complete redesign and re-development of our website, which we want to be much more pull than push and a place for people to share, debate and collaborate.

We have been discussing, sharing and testing ideas with Adrian Slatcher from MDDA (Manchester Digital Development Agency) and Social Media Cafe Manchester, our web developers started work last week. One section of the site will be a Swap Shop (working title) where arts orgs, artists, venues can swop and share. So for example it could be something simple like Visual Artist in Manchester wants to learn some Wordpress skills could match/share with writer, blogger with Wordpress skills from Leeds who in turn wants some good visuals for her/his blog. We are hoping the design will also facilitate much more complicated collaborative/sharing arrangements, and a built in link with this Ning would seem a good idea.

The web site will be finished and up before Christmas. Before then, during the build and beta stage, we would love suggestions, ideas and input from other arts organisations, artists and geeks. In the spirit of openness and sharing this Ning seems like an excellent place for doing that.

We may be cash poor in the future, but we will still be rich in creativity. To quote Dave Moutrey "Sharing resources, ideas and audiences has to be core to our practice, our structures and our business processes – all need to reflect this".

Thanks to the momentum gained from the inspiring and inclusive work by the likes of Marcus Romer, Pilot Theatre and Dave Moutrey Cornerhouse (yes that wonderful double act) I'm hoping we've reached a tipping point with collaborative working.

For the sake of our audiences, participants and artists, we must not resort to a position of in fighting and competition to retain old hierarchies through the process of applying for much reduced funds.

I'm hoping the good news ladies and gents is size doesn't matter

It's not about growing our organisations but growing our work and our reach.

Chris

Should you want to contact me directly you can do so at chris(at)fullcirclearts.co.uk