Should we combine the Bradenton and Sarasota AnythingArts.com sites in to one site?

[Rick Hughes]

We are curious as to your thoughts on this subject. The Bradenton site was originally established to give Manatee County and Bradenton its own identity. For the most part, this was accepted as a good thought. A couple of members in the Village of the Arts voiced the opinion that they'd prefer to be joined with Sarasota. It is a classic conundrum.

The Sarasota site is much more active, with nearly 600 members and lots of daily traffic and even some paying sponsors to cover the site. The Bradenton site has over 113 and quite a bit less traffic; and no sponsors. Many of the events from both locales are posted on both sites, but more often than not Bradenton events are posted on the Sarasota site.

Anyway, before we make any decisions, we'd like to hear your thoughts on the issue. To combine or not combine, that is the question. The other question is, if we keep them as two sites, how can we grow the Bradenton site to become as big and useful as the Sarasota site to its arts community?

Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

[The Village Bookshop]

Back again -

so, this is only up on the Bradenton site?

Doug

[Rick Hughes]

Great points, and ones we are considering (and have asked) too. Back to you soon.

[Bharati Ishaya]

Ha ha ha! It made me giggle. You are astute, as always, Doug, and I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I love the Village of the Arts. And I know that there is much more to Bradenton than just the Village of the Arts too.

Equally, I like the idea of adding Venice and Englewood. As the Eco-Art Contest Coordinator for the past 2 years for Efest, it was initially difficult to get momentum in the more southerly parts of Sarasota County. I think, however, this year we made some significant progress in getting submissions from artists in the Venice / Englewood / North Port and even Port Charlotte areas.

But why stop there? Why not venture further east? What's happening Arcadia way? We get some radio stations from that direction ... ...

The cultural aspects of this region are numerous. The diversity of the population - we really do have a global community around here - offers enormous opportunities for artistic exploration, innovation, sharing. Perhaps all that is needed is a little bit of monitoring in the sense that each "area" has balanced exposure on the site. While Sarasota at this moment may have more members and sponsors, it doesn't necessarily have to have a monopoly on events promotion.

I'm not crazy about having to belong to two different sites, and in fact, am not sure that I'm coming up on this at the moment via Bradenton or Sarasota. It would be easier for me to access information and events in Bradenton through one site, information and events for Venice, Englewood, Fruitville, Arcadia ... ... ... all through one site. Most of us already have far too many logons and pins ...

Let's play ... let's have fun ... and let's do it together!


The Village Bookshop said:

Back again -

so, this is only up on the Bradenton site?

Doug

[Danielle Hope Hier]

As someone who lives and works in Bradenton and Sarasota, I think a combined site would create unity between Manatee and Sarasota counties. Rather than congregating in our varying "zones" it's a great way to both connect, help market each other and build a stronger community.

[Carl Mario Nudi]

Is there any way of keeping the two separate and starting a thrid, something like anythingartsgulfcoast?
This way my fear of Bradenton losing its identity would be dispersed and at the same time we can all keep up with what's happening in other areas.
Those that are only interested in Bradenton will post and read only Bradenton. Same for Sarasota. Those that are more broader in their interests will read all three.
If we try it out and the two local sites are not as active as the gulfcoast site, then we can shut them down.
Just an idea.

[Lee Shore Gallery/Christina Lee]

Carl Said, we should start a third anythingartsgulfcoast site. I have not had enough time to join the Sarasota site, nor have I had time to list my husband on either site, a musician and guitar builder. Three sites, oh my gosh!!! Not to mention my 3 websites which need attending to desperately, I joined facebook to communicate with relatives in the UK. I also have to keep up with my gallery page on the village of the arts website, did I mention my village meetings twice a month, my art gallery every Friday and Saturday and Artwalks and Village Events, plus the other 3 business we run to make a living, and a dozen other websites/forums/blogs etc., I am a member of and don't forget answering volumes of emails..... Do I need to say any more.... Don't forget, I am an artist, and I have to also take time to create new jewelry to sell in my gallery. Oh, I forgot to mention my Husband, my two children, their spouses and my 6 grandchildren, who would like to see me some time...

Life is way to busy, to add another website to keep up with. I am very much for Bradenton becoming recognized for the fantastic Arts and Artists we have here in our own right, but I think combining would be a good thing, but only Bradenton and Sarasota sites. Others from other towns can always join this site to keep informed. I love the Bradenton Arts, I love the Village of the Arts, ask any Villager how involved I am, how many committees I am on, and how much of my time I give tirelessly and freely to the promotion of the Village and the Arts in Bradenton. I am very pro promoting the Arts in Bradenton. The world needs to know about the Village of the Arts, the Arts community in Bradenton, and what a great Artistic place/community Bradenton is.
Christina Lee, Lee Shore Gallery, Village of the Arts, Bradenton, Florida

[Carl Mario Nudi]

I know where you're coming from Christina, with all the different sites to check and maintain. It has to get simplier somewhere or sometime.
But I didn't make myself clear enough when I suggested a new site. I was thinking for us busy ones we can use the one combined site and for those who want Bradenton to maintain it individuality they can stick with the Bradenton site, and likewise for the Sarasota crowd.
The only problem with that is we're throwing another site onto Rick's shoulders.
Carl Mario Nudi

[Lee Shore Gallery/Christina Lee]

Carl, that make more since, once you explain.

I am kind of torn between combining the two sites or keeping Bradenton separate. I very much like the fact that Bradenton has it's own Arts site and kudos to Rick for starting it. I have really enjoyed being a part of this site, and have met some neat new friends through it. I am kind of feeling like Doug said earlier, and I quote, "I have an irksome fellow on my shoulder with sharp teeth and an arrow tail. He's whispering things like: "here we go again, another drift to being absorbed into the neighboring counties with their upscale, high-art, big money, corporate collective..."" Yet, another part of me says combine and make the Arts in Bradenton and Sarasota even better.

Combining both sites would mean when I put a call to Artists or Musicians out for the Village of the Arts, or an Artwalk reminder, more people will read it. On this site I am only communicating with about 200 people, on the Sarasota site I can communicate with 500 or 600 (if I take a few minutes to join). Taking into account some people are on both sites, combined you would probably have 600 or 700. It would mean reaching a larger group of Artists, Musicians and Arts Patrons with the information we each have to share, and not duplicating posts every time I want to share something. And in this busy day and age, anything we can do to simplify things helps.

Christina

[Hector Ferran]

I think combining them is an awesome idea on not only the level of running an efficient website, but making this whole area really seem like one large art community.

[Rick Hughes]

Thanks for responding, I tend to agree.

Hector Ferran said:

I think combining them is an awesome idea on not only the level of running an efficient website, but making this whole area really seem like one large art community.

[Sarah Combs]

I think it's a great idea as well.
One question I have is will it change the web address? or is it automatic when you log on to sarasotasanythingarts.com bradentonanythingarts.com is an extention? If you change the web address I think it would be hard to start over with to long of an address to get people to remember. Otherwise I think it is a great Idea.

[Bowman Originals / Ned Bowman]

Hi Rick,

I think combining the two sites is a good idea. I believe people travel frequently between the two communities to attend events.

As far as a name ... respectfully, I submit a suggestion to you use a name that identifies the two communities which residents are use to hearing such as Sarasota/Bradenton or Sarasota/Manatee.
If you want to add St. Pete and Tampa into the "mix" then maybe a name like "Gulf Coast" would work.

Thanks for your consideration,
Ned