02/02/2009
Delegates at the Audiences NI annual conference, 5th February at the Braid Arts Centre Ballymena will be welcomed to the afternoon session by Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The conference theme ‘No Cost - Low cost’ will be explored with experts covering digital marketing tools, including mobile phone marketing and social networking websites. A free ‘Social Networking Bus’ will be available for delegates, to and from the Conference venue and Belfast.
Moving outside Belfast for the first time, the Audiences NI conference should appeal to everyone in the arts and creative sectors who want to improve their marketing and develop their audiences, across Northern Ireland. It will assist in finding effective and economic ways to develop in the current financial climate, and to meet priority development needs identified by arts professionals.
Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, in her welcoming address, described the benefits of the conference, saying, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has, for many years, worked closely with Audience NI, not only to increase the opportunities for everyone to participate and enjoy the arts through audience development, but also to support arts organisations, helping them to secure their long term creative and financial future. I congratulate Audience NI, as it continues to support the sector, meeting the identified needs of local arts professionals with this conference. In particular, offering experts with practical, affordable business approaches, and exploring new technologies for the Arts in difficult and challenging times”.
The Conference will take place in the Braid Arts Centre in Ballymena, part funded by the
Arts Council of Northern Ireland through its National Lottery funding, and will consider:
Using the internet to beat the credit crunch; getting your audience to talk about you; Mobile phone/Blue tooth technology and its uses; How consumers in Northern Ireland use the internet.
Steven Hadley, CEO of Audiences NI added “We are sure that delegates will pick up useful tips and ideas, enabling them to continue to grow their audiences in a tough economic climate. We’d like to thank our principal funder ACNI for enabling Audiences NI to run the only dedicated audience development conference in Ireland. Creating opportunities for arts organisations to network with, and learn from, UK experts and exploit new technology cannot be underestimated in an increasingly competitive environment.’
Places are limited, so interested arts bodies should apply early to avoid disappointment. Audiences NI members can avail of two free places per organisation. For further information and to book, please contact Audience NI Tel: (028) 9043 6480, or visit www.audiencesni.com
