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gay christmas eve

 Twas the night before gay Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Yes it is that time of year ladies and gents – time for keeping the Pride alive. And now you can show everyone just how much you love the annual fun and frolics by having it emblazoned across your chest. Buy online via visitmanchester.com, in store at the Manchester Visitor Information or over the Big Weekend from Taurus, Canal Street. Image c/o Justin and thank you to him for his fantastic modeling skills too! Also after Pride don’t be glum enjoy more great events for Manchester’s LGBT community with Village Circle……

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contact us: computer says no

 As the saying goes “on the internet nobody knows you’re a dog.” However whether you’re a dog, cat, mouse or human surfing the web the following frustrations will apply – alongside not having opposable thumbs for some of you. Recently I have had the pleasure of exploring the websites of a diverse range of the UK’s museums. From the weird to the wonderful there is a wealth of sites detailing museums large and small across the land. As part of my research project the plan was make contact with these institutions and encourage them to participate in the study. What came between me and my mission… contact forms. Now I appreciate…

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the kindness of strangers, friends and tweeters

 The aim of this week has been to rally UK museums to take part in the survey I am running to establish what social networking sites mean for audience development within the sector. Along the way I have been making lots of new acquaintances as well as tapping up some ‘old’ friends for a helping hand. Hence thought they deserved a mention: Discussion Groups Charity Web Forum – great people, doing fantastic work for very worthwhile organisations, helpful bunch too. LinkedIn Groups MuseumLink – a hub for museum professionals online and linked in. Arts & Business – where creatives and business collide. Networks Audiences UK – The national network for…

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what i learnt this week

 Apologies for the radio silence this week. Despite popular misconceptions I do leave Manchester from time to time and step away from the keyboard and screen. Upon my return however the inbox was bulging with what’s new in Manchester-ville. Here is just a taster: 1) The lovely folks at Manchester Art Gallery reminded their new exhibition Recorders by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer will be landing in little over a month. In this exhibition of interactive works the artists uses digital technologies to create inspiring and exciting contemporary art. I am already looking forward this exhibition which promises to be a feast for the senses. 2) Manchester10 – a new and free (everyone loves…

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creating a museum without walls? the role of social networking sites in audience development

 I am currently undertaking a survey as part of my postgraduate research into the use of social networking sites as a tool for audience development within the museum sector. Therefore if you represent a UK museum and can assist with this study please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/withoutwalls (this survey is now closed) – many thanks. An overview of the results from this survey will be presented here in October 2010. Image c/o sea turtle licensed under Creative Commons.

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death by google

 Ego-surfing… come on admit it we’ve all done it. Though maybe we’d soon stop if we thought it was going to get deadly. This is the premise of a new short film ‘Dead Search‘ produced by Manchester film makers Moving Echo – which I am intrigued by with my socialBedia hat on as well. This debut production addresses contemporary issues that surround the modern digital age, and the fact that we live in a society where the Internet has the potential to tell you more about yourself than you know. The film stars up and coming actor Chris Wickens as the film’s protagonist Aaron Sharrock and has a brooding score provided by Nathan M.…

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