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]

I'm with Ned on the name - definitely make it county names - there's a lot more to Manatee than just Bradenton.

Beyond that - tech question: once the change is made - I'm assuming it will be soon - will those of us with two pages need to start from scratch? It seems logical that only the Sarasota page will be left of the two. Will we need to make consolidations, prior to that? And - will those with just Bradenton pages be automatically beamed up to Sarasota/Manatee, including all items, emails, etc.?

thanks,

Doug

[Rick Hughes]

Mr. Scott is dead and, therefore, no beaming is possible. Everyone will be starting from scratch, I am sorry to say.


The Village Bookshop said:

I'm with Ned on the name - definitely make it county names - there's a lot more to Manatee than just Bradenton.

Beyond that - tech question: once the change is made - I'm assuming it will be soon - will those of us with two pages need to start from scratch? It seems logical that only the Sarasota page will be left of the two. Will we need to make consolidations, prior to that? And - will those with just Bradenton pages be automatically beamed up to Sarasota/Manatee, including all items, emails, etc.?

thanks,

Doug

[The Village Bookshop]

Your not serious.

"Everyone" - must mean, what, just the Bradenton/Manatee members without a current Sarasota page, right?

Doug

[Rick Hughes]

Correct.

The Village Bookshop said:

Your not serious.

"Everyone" - must mean, what, just the Bradenton/Manatee members without a current Sarasota page, right?

Doug

[Lin Oakerson]

I am throwing my hat in the pool for combining the two sites. I think it would be stronger to have one website for information on the local arts scene. Hats off to Rick and Christine! Thanks for everything you both are doing to keep us connected and help us to get the word out on our events.
- Lin (Promotions Coordinator, Bradenton's Village of the Arts)

[Julia Guzman]

I vote to combine, but suggest the idea of even more inclusion.

My experience (as with many of my friends) -- I work in Sarasota, live in Bradenton Beach, attend events in three or four counties, and consider myself a member of the larger Gulf Coast Arts community.

Wouldn't a Gulf Coast reach, that also includes the Venice area, be even more representative of our unique & eclectic arts community?

Just a thought.

Kindly,
Julia G

[Backyard Getaway]

I think combining the two sites is a great idea this way people living in Bradenton can learn about Sarasota artist & Sarasota residents can learn about Bradenton artist. Village of the Arts is great but there are so many artist outside the village too.