Case Study: Redlands Creative Alliance

The intention of the network and site is to supplement strong professional relationships within the Redlands arts and cultural network with a vibrant online community consisting of artists, creative industry and cultural workers, art-lovers and supporters where artists can profile their work, advertise events, place general notices, post blog entries and upload photos and interested members of the public can closely follow the activity of the local arts and cultural industry.

Where and When did the project take place?
The Redlands Creative Alliance was borne out of the planning and research to develop the cultural plan for Redland City Council in 2006/7, and through an identified need to connect and engage people with creative pursuits in the region.

As the Redland’s Arts Council was already in existence, it was identified there was no requirement to duplicate an incorporated body but rather focus on building connections and network opportunities to further promote local creative industries.

Primarily this is a web based platform which also engages in regular face to face meetings and forums. The technology is driven by a NING platform which is primarily a professional networking tool, allowing individual artists profiling as well as organisations and community groups. The site also captures upcoming events, blog forums and cultural mapping.

The site was formed after a series of arts network meetings in 2010, and was launched in conjunction with a series of postcards featuring the work of local creative’s  which enabled the network to reach beyond a web platform. The Redlands Creative Alliance is a community managed site with one voluntary administrator and project coordinators as required.

What Partnerships were formed and what Funding (if any) was received?

Redland City Council

• The network was founded with the support of Redland City Council and the Community Cultural Development Officer with funds being contributed to facilitate the printing and distribution of the postcard series. Ongoing funds to maintain the web platform is managed through donations from the community to the administrator. The Creative Alliance is also supported through a publication of a monthly e-newsletter “Artmail” which has a distribution of over 300 recipients throughout the region and is also published on the NING site.
• The council also provides venues for meetings.
• Ongoing support is offered through the Community Cultural Development Officers participation and guidance in the group’s endeavours.

Redlands Arts Council for Creative Alliance’s leading Arts Projects providing auspicing and insurance in return for membership with the RAC.

Cleveland Village Traders Assoc – A partnership has been formed to assist in the cultural economic development of the main shopping district in Cleveland. A strategy to build on the success of the Sunday Markets has fostered an opportunity to establish a cultural

Chamber of Commerce – through advocacy of Alliance member, Brylee Langley, a new category for business awards now celebrates Arts Business, as well as developing a new portfolio for the Chamber, Arts and Culture. Opportunities to extend creative enterprise and cultural economic value for central business districts are also being explored.

Outcomes & Next Steps
Key Program Stages:

How did you achieve this / what were some of the processes?
RCC Community Development Officer provided support to initiate meetings, and create the network database. This support was key to the process, as the Alliance members are all volunteers, and it was vital to have a lead on the project to make sure the momentum was carried forward.

1. Collect data base through advertising and existing contacts.

2. Host/facilitate forum to discuss opportunities and gaps.

3. Create action plan to build online platform and attribute roles and responsibilities from the group.

4. Create the postcard series from artists from the network to help distribute the network and the site more broadly.

5. Host a series of forums and meetings to keep lines of communication open and exchange ideas for further projects.

6. Establish a monthly e-newsletter to ensure the Arts network remains informed and connected.

What was the final outcome?

A highly connected and engaged (and expanding) network of arts practitioners who are building cultural capacity for the broader Redlands community, and creating opportunities to increase economic return for creative endeavours.

What worked well:

• The initial scoping meeting helped to identify where the gaps were and identified key people who could help to bring the whole vision together.
• The Creative Alliance site works effectively because it is free, flexible and is able to broadcast to a broad audience.
• The Art Forums helps to connect and engage active members in ongoing projects and future planning and visioning.
• Connecting in the monthly e-newsletter, Artmail has provided an opportunity to showcase the prodigious talent from the region, and to extend awareness of cultural and creative events across the SE QLD and beyond.
   

http://redlandscreative.ning.com/

Tips:
Working with diverse cultural organisations and individuals to ensure everyone is on the same page is vital to the success of bringing the network together. Ongoing projects help to keep the group energised and committed to the future vision of the network.

What is the next step for this project?
This is an ongoing developing network and site which is aiming to accommodate to needs and requirements of the Arts network, and increase membership. Future projects include establishing creative industry hubs through vacant shop spaces, arts markets and support for local arts festivals and events.