One of the hardest parts of my job (and newest) is trying to figure out how you will want to interact with IMA on social networking sites like Facebook. And the weight of that responsibility does not fall solely on my shoulders. There is a team of us, each trying to keep up with our own social networking activities while trying hard to make something that represents IMA, looks good and actually offers something worthwhile.
I must admit that I was a very reluctant convert to this world. I am a member of the usual 20-something demographic, but just felt my life was “too busy” for a virtual version. But alas, I have discovered that I really like Facebook, and I have created my own Flickr account, too, though it is admittedly a bit neglected. It has gone so far that I have become a total Facebook snob, refusing to admit there is any usefulness left for MySpace. Honestly, who doesn’t agree that MySpace is over? Now we need to be concerned about what the next big thing will be. (If you happen to know, give me a hint in your comment.)
Museums as a whole are struggling to keep up, usually moving just one sad step behind trends. There are a few exceptions. Among the best are the Brooklyn Museum (that’s in New York) and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Both have managed to maintain online activities that support real communities mostly due to brilliant content and savvy audience development. We ogle their sites and the amazing dialogue their work creates and daydream about creating the same in our community.
This admiration and envy is definitely the reason why IMA has given so much time and attention to the revision of our blog, creating an IMA Facebook page and integrating social networking into upcoming IMA exhibition websites. (Breaking the Mode will be the first, launching in February 2008.) You will see us making genuine efforts to use these tools in ways that are fun and relevant, and we hope you will join us as we do it. In the meantime, I hope you will visit IMA’s Facebook page and if you think it is lame (or awesome) say so, then visit mine, which naturally, ROCKS!
January 29th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Hey Despi,
I found this article recently (passed along from one of my friends on Facebook) and the traffic numbers to MySpace really caused me to re-think a bit. Anyway, you can find it here.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:11 am
“face book” ? ? the IMA is paying someone to do this? what a waste of time & electrons. how much does the blog-o-sphere bring in new people, as opposed to distracting staff and family that should be working?
lots of bells and whistles do not change vapid dreck.
what did Cuba Gooding say? “Show me the metrics!!”
January 31st, 2008 at 11:18 am
Interesting point of view! Actually, we produce online content not only for those who visit the museum, but largely for those who never will. Creating a vast network beyond our walls extends the reach of our content and mission, gives an international voice to the works of art we are charged with conserving and sharing as well as giving individuals like yourself something to read and rant about in the blogosphere.
Thanks for contributing and keep ‘em coming.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I’m a huge art enthusist and am currently working on putting together an emerging artists networking site and would love your feedback through a quick survey, thanks!!
You can access the survey at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zIy4k_2frHVkxdiC_2bC5q3y7A_3d_3d
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