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tw-meet the museums

 Progress this week… Interviews have been arranged with four Manchester museums as part of my dissertation research. All very different hopefully this process will give an insight into how they are utilising social media for audience development at this time. They are; – @McrMuseum – Built in the 1880s Manchester Museum houses The University of Manchester’s collections of natural history, Egyptology, archaeology and anthropology. Currently in the process of updating their Mammal Gallery (opening mid-2011) and archaeology and Egyptology galleries with the intention to redevelop them in time to celebrate the centenary of the opening of the first Egyptology gallery, in October 2012. You can read more about the Musuem’s…

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it’s rude not to share

 In a bid to get organised I thought it time to actively start bookmarking my reading materials. Therefore if your looking for articles on social media and it’s use in the arts and culture sector my Delicious might be of interest – with plenty more to come in the coming months I’m sure. Other general geeky stuff will be thrown in for good measure. Image c/o ryancr licensed under Creative Commons.

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powered by tea

 Let’s face it in the Northern Quarter you’re never stuck for fab catering and brew options. However I must say the recently arrived North Tea Power (@northteapower) is quickly becoming my pick of the bunch. Whether it is breakfast tea for the traditionalists, marmalade tea for those that like to experiment or vanilla iced tea latte if you’re me they have it all. Don’t worry the coffee drinkers aren’t ignored with a range of beverages to suit them as well, but tea is where it’s at – with a cake of course, well it would be rude not to. Add friendly, smiley staff and stir – perfect! c/o jyllish licensed…

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route m60?

 Manchester born photographer Matthew Comer has won the opportunity of a lifetime becoming the first ever UK Route 66 Ambassador. After 9 weeks of campaigning Matthew was selected by the Chicago and Illinois Tourist Office. Following the nationwide search, Matthew has won the ultimate trip of a lifetime to Illinois where he will travel iconic Route 66, discovering all of the famous landmarks that have inspired movies, songs and popular literature over the last few decades. Yet if you fancy seeing some of Matthew’s closer to home he has a range of exhibitions planned for the rest of the year at both Magma and Urban Outfitters. It also got me thinking…

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audience development using social media: now that would be tweet

 As the use of social networking sites (SNS) continues to pervade into more and more people’s lives it is not surprising that businesses, public bodies, charities and the like have migrated online into these spaces. With varying levels of success many of these organisation’s have then tried to communicate with us (good: Blendtec, bad: Nestle, ugly: Habitat UK). This goes also for the arts and culture sector that has begun to realise the opportunities presented by social networking technologies in reaching their audience. This got me thinking for my MA Social Media thesis to ask the question can these technologies enable arts and culture organisations not only to engage with their current…

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go see this: the eagle has landed

 Apologies readers for the the wall of silence in recent weeks but I have been kept entertained by preparing for the big reveal of Go See This. Go See This is an all new What’s on recommendations website for arts, culture and heritage in Greater Manchester. This All About Audiences led project has been developed with audience development principles at it’s core. That means it’s all about additionally – enabling arts and culture organisations reach out beyond their existing and loyal audiences to: Increase attendances by encouraging people to try new things and cross-fertilising audiences Meet the needs of potential attenders who have not decided what they want to see/do –…

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exhibition by a thread

 A new exhibition launches this week at Manchester Craft and Design Centre. Threadbare is a new commission from the talented textile artist Debbie Smyth. Debbie’s work utilises webs of thread to form intricate images of figures and landscapes. In this latest exhibition the inspiration comes from Manchester’s own Northern Quarter where Debbie has been photographing and sketching on two recent visits. Feel like getting crafty yourself? You can help Debbie put the final touches to her work on Saturday 3rd of July between 2 and 4pm at the exhibition’s launch event – whilst also enjoying the sweet sounds of singer-songwriter Jo Rose in the process. Or if you’re feeling even more…

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oh mr darcy

 Every now and again I escape the confirms of Manchester and head for the hills. On this occasion to Lyme Park, nestling on the fringes of the Peak District, 12 miles south-east of the city centre. (For the period drama fans amongst you then no doubt you’ll recognise the scenery from the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. No heaving bosoms or wet shirt contests were seen on this visit.)

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summer festival fun

 The Exodus festival is back in Manchester looking to be bigger and better than ever before. This year will see the festival take to the heart of the city centre taking place in Albert Square and Manchester Town Hall – on Sunday 18th July from noon until 6pm. Exodus is a free and family friendly event that celebrates the arts and culture of Greater Manchester’s refugee and diverse communities, organised by Community Arts North West (CAN). The festival will be composed of two stages hosting music, song and dance performances from over 25 international acts, includingWigan-based Zimbabwean band Heritage Survival, local rappers Educated Thugz!, Polish hip hop from Lorek Przemyslaw and drumming from renowned…

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