Who is IndieArts/ri?
IndieArts/ri is a splinter group of the Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island made up of a variety of artists, musicians, DJs and event producers who contribute to Rhode Island art and music. The day to day of IndieArts/ri, which will evolve, is Ted James and myself posting member’s events and in some cases free DJ mixes online at www.indieartsri.com.
The plan over the course of the next year is to expand the online content of IndieArts/ri by featuring more Rhode Island-based DJ mixes, local band and record label releases with free mp3s, and streaming video of local film, animation and video artists. I am also recruiting individuals to contribute weekly postings. For example Ty Jesso, of Go-Go Power, will contribute a bi-weekly post featuring a rare record, and discuss its origins and the role it has played in music history. Once the IndieArts Fest is over, we will be developing these new aspects of the blog.
What is IndieArts Fest?
The IndieArts Fest is the first in what will be a free annual arts and music festival featuring a wide range of active Rhode Island artists, or artists who have some affiliation or connection to state. his year’s festival features a variety of entertainment: music including live bands and DJs, he Providence Roller Derby, Spoken Word, Experimental and Burlesque dance, films, video mixing (VJ), and artists and crafters selling their creations. It serves as a showcase for Rhode Island artists and helps to expose each artist to a bigger audience. We have received support through a number of sources, including the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism, Scott Volkswagon, Cornish, RISCA, Narragansett Brewing, Harpoon Brewery, Trinity Rep, Newport Storm, Numark, and Harmonix.
When did IndieArts become a splinter group of the Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island (ABC/ri)?
I worked at ArtTix, which is one of ABC/ri’s programs. ArtTix is a marketing and ticketing website for a majority of Rhode Island nonprofits, including theatre companies and galleries. What I came to notice is that ArtTix seemed to serve a particular group of cultural organizations and their audience. But there were a lot of people contributing to the cultural fabric, and ArtTix wasn’t really a fit for them. My co-worker Ted James and I discussed this and came up with the idea of a blog that could serve as a one-stop shop to learn about events and the individuals or small organizations that produced them.
Where is IndieArts evolving to?
From that initial discussion between Ted James and myself, the idea of IndieArts/ri kept expanding, and the range of content we would like to feature increases. I want it to be a place where you can find out about a few cool events going on, download the latest DJ mix by one of your favorite DJs, download an mp3 from the new album of your favorite local band, watch the newest animation from a local video artist, and read a posting from your favorite soul DJ about one of his favorite rare 45’s.
Why is IndieArts different from other arts organizations?
IndieArts/ri is different because it is an online community that actively promotes its member organizations and contributing artists in the real world. he fact that I attend to IndieArts/ri on a day to day basis gives me the opportunity to really grow what it can offer. I also think being someone who had been involved in electronic music, DJ culture and event production, I have experience to expand on in growing IndieArts/ri. Another thing that is a bit different from other blogs is I don’t express an opinion about any event or content I upload. I leave that to the individual browsing IndieArts. As I add contributors for particular topics, they will discuss things they like, but it will start from more of a historical context instead the usual critical approach. I want the user to decide what they do and do not appreciate; I don’t want to tell them what they should like or dislike.
How do people get involved in IndieArts, and what kinds of folks would?
Well you can get involved by contacting me which can be done by going to our blog at www.indieartsri.com, and sending an email to me through our contact info on the blog. At this point I think anyone producing innovative events or shows, bands, DJs, film or video artists, who are in Rhode Island and would like to showcase some of their work online. There really is an incredible amount of possibility to connect content on the Internet to the realities If that is you, contact me!