A group of (mainly) Forum members with an interest in music has submitted a proposal to the Forum to include a calendar of events of general cultural interest on its website.  This proposal is reproduced below and will come before the committee on Tuesday 2 March.  Comments are welcome.

Hastings Artslink – a proposal to Hastings Arts Forum

Summary

HastingsArtslink is a way of providing centralised, ‘one-click’ access to all arts events in the Borough, using for the most part existing websites and resources. We believe this would benefit HAF as well as the wider arts community, without creating an extra level of responsibility.

Background

There is currently no centralised ‘Time Out’ style guide to arts activities in Hastings, and for reasons of funding this is not likely to become available. There are however individual websites associated with a variety of art forms which have their ‘special interest’ supporters, and are able to maintain their own websites.

However it is not easy for the average arts supporter (i.e. those who do not belong to a ‘special interest’ group) to find information on available events quickly and easily, and it is in the interest of all the various arts promoters to publicise their events effectively and to widen their potential audience.

It is assumed that internet access is an increasingly effective way of publishing information on events. This proposal does not aim however to substitute for other forms of event advertising.

Purpose

To provide centralised one-click access to all relevant websites associated with the whole range of arts activities available in Hastings.

Method

HAF would host HastingsArtslink as its home page. In addition to the existing links to HAF pages, this page would provide links to other arts websites, listed under arts forms: e.g. jazz, classical, opera, theatre, dance etc.  These other sites would be responsible as now for listing their own events and details. HAF’s responsibility would be limited to the redesign of its home page as the HastingsArtslink page. This would replace the existing page, which is currently a welcome message with links to other pages. These links would be therefore included on the HastingsArtslink page, so HAF information would be as easily available as it is currently.

It’s suggested that a HastingsArtslink steering group is set up to liaise with other organisations interested in being represented, and to draft text for the HastingsArtslink page. Once set up the only changes needed would be to add or delete links to other sites.

Why HAF?

The HAF site is already well established, and the visual arts are widely recognised as Hastings’ premier branch of arts activity.

Advantages for HAF

HAF members are not simply interested in HAF activities, and are strong supporters of the performance arts. HastingsArtslink information on their own web page improves their access to other events.

The casual visitor to Hastings will be likely to look both for exhibitions and for performance events: these are complementary rather than conflicting for anyone looking for a reason to come to Hastings.

As the HastingsArtslink host HAF’s website will become first port of call for all seeking information on a wide variety of activities – excellent promotion for HAF events.