Chicago Artists Resource Key Characteristics: Developed in collaboration between government, artists and arts organizati

1. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE • Chicago Artists Resource • Key Characteristics: • Developed in collaboration between government, artists and arts organizations • Informed by an in-depth study of artists’ needs conducted prior to developing the site • Dynamically compiling directory of resources, services, articles, how to’s for artists. • Content will be maintained non-centrally through collaborative partners • Content management system will administrate site updates, and communications with users • www.chicagoartistsresource.org

2. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE • What Artist Will Access: • Space and Housing • Professional Practice • Artists' Stories • City Content • Listings • Registries • Directories • National/International Content

3. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE

4. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE • How Artists will access information : • A highly intuitive interface with clear and logical site navigation, and powerful search functions. Key issues in developing the interface will be: • Simple, versatile searching • Good Information design • Multiple levels formal education, computer literacy Chicago Artists Resource

5. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE • Key Development Strategies: • Thorough development process • Scalability • Collaboration with users • Marketing

6. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE • Key Development Strategies: • Thorough development process • Research • -Research prior to site development • -Research for existing best practices, and potential content exchange partners • -Content Development research: holistic approach • Technical planning dialogue • -Web developer “sounding board” meetings • -Network partner suggestion sessions between artists and City resources.

7. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE • Key Development Strategies: • Scalable, replicable systems • Make use of limited resources strategically • Help other arts resource initiatives in other regions to avoid re-inventing the wheel • Contribute to development of a toolset for national networked resources for artists

8. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE • Key Development Strategies: • Why Collaboration? • Accountability to the arts community and end users (artists) • To take advantage of existing expertise and resources • To develop community ownership of project

9. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE • Key Development Strategies: • Marketing organically within existing arts networks • Cross-promoting with other Dept. of Cultural Affairs events • Tapping into existing networks at Department of Cultural Affairs • Tapping into Network Partner and consulting artist networks • Creating physical satellite centers at local branch libraries with permanent signage and training for librarians • Signage in areas where artists congregate, travel, use facilities, e.g. CTA busses, Kinko’s, Cafes

10. CHICAGO ARTISTS RESOURCE • Outcomes : • CAR will be an invaluable resource for the Chicago Arts community and a tool for network building and dialogue between artists and arts service organizations. As a collaborative development and maintenance effort, community ownership will insure its ongoing relevance and success. • CAR, as a module developed in dialogue with artists, arts service organizations, local government, and other web resource initiatives nationally, will be a versatile and meaningful template for creating comparable regional resources in other cities, and a building block for a national arts resource network.