Media - How can we engage & inspire the media to want to tell/write about the arts?

Submitted by Q on Wed, 20/01/2010 - 10:22am.

MEDIA – HOW CAN WE ENGAGE & INSPIRE THE MEDIA TO WANT TO TELL/WRITE ABOUT THE ARTS?

Convenor: Margaret-Mary Hollins

Participants: Mark Amery, Sally Woodfield, Philippa Campbell, Sarah Burken, Merrin Cavel, Eve Gordon, Amber McWilliams, Ange Gouldie

Priority: ELEVEN EQUAL (12 dots)

Notes:

A lot of Arts discussion coverage has gone since 80s and 90s, used to have stronger arts editorials
Limited space for the Arts
Artists need to feed journalists – be savvy – listen to publicists & marketing experts.
Are there any “ARTS REPORTERS’ left besides the limited few.
Need to lobby government? Support a platform the supports media recognition
Need to get them stats, on facts and figured the arts bring to the economy.
The media should be a place for creativity/activity in the Arts.

Identified Priorities

Arts discussion to inspire the media

The Arts are a part of life – how to get that mentality in the media.

First or next steps:

Forum @ TAPAC by Sub-Committee formed @ this meeting (Mark Amery, MM Hollins, Mark Cavel, Amber McWilliams, Eve Gordon, Sarah Burken)

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Comments

Raewyn Whyte 20 January 2010 - 14:17 PM

When it comes to mainstream publications, Editors are the ones who allocate space for arts coverage, whether that's article or reviews. They also decide on the policy of a publication towards what may be covered. And advertising is a key factor -- the amount of advertising sold per issue determines how many pages are available for actual content, and most editorsd are petty hardline about the arts not getting the sapce unless there is advertising buy in.

Journalists -- and freelancer writers who cover the arts -- have to convince their editors to give them space for any story -- so do whatever you can to help get the space allocation -- and be realistic about the relative advertising spend issue which pretty much rules what gets the space.

The most fruitful arts commentary is now coming from online publications -- formal entities such as Theatreview and The Lumiere Rreader, YellingMouth, as well as informal blogs, Facebook.