The online arts world goes boom

A huge factor leading to the birth of my Ottawa Arts Newsletter more than three years ago was the scarcity of local arts coverage in the mainstream media. But besides merely informing readers, an important objective for me was to demonstrate to readers how to do their own research to find great local cultural fare.

And, guess what? I'm doing that again right here and now! Truth be told, though, the task is getting easier. In recent years a number of excellent web sites and blogs have popped up devoted to Ottawa arts. Each is unique, but all share the goal of providing timely and independent coverage of the local arts scene.

Groups and collectives
One of the newest arts reporting websites is Apartment 613. Believe it or not, it took me some time to realize that the digits in the name referred to the city’s area code, but anyway. The site has quickly made a name for itself through regular updates on Facebook and Twitter and by creating a Flickr pool where contributors can post photos. Apartment 613 has a blog format on the front page that displays a couple of new posts every day, each accompanied by a large photograph. Some are written by eight core contributors, others by guest scribes. The site also features a weekly podcast from Audio Visual, a local arts show that airs on CHUO 89.1.

Similarly, Culture Magazine uses a blog format and posts eloquent-yet-conversational articles and reviews by a range of contributors, usually monthly.

Another innovative magazine, Dharma Arts is assembled by a number of freelance writers, photographers and web designers. Dharma features in-depth interviews with artsy locals brought to life with spectacular images and graphics. This mag demonstrates just what you can do with a little bit of web magic.

Web pioneering Art Engine has been sending out a daily selection of emails to a membership called Artlist since 1996. As a cultural body, Art Engine is dedicated to the cutting edge blend of art and technology.

Meanwhile, Ottawa Focus is a great place for straightforward listings of upcoming events; it also posts profile pieces on up-and-coming local artists and updates from local bloggers.

Enter the Blogosphere
For something a little more personal, check out the growing number of art blogs popping up all over the place. Of course, it's difficult to know which blogs will stick around, but these ones in particular are showing some stamina!

For literary arts, I highly recommend the Bywords website, not only for up-to-date listings of literary events around the city, but also for great poetry from local authors featured on the front page. This one-stop shop for the Ottawa poetry scene is said to be far more reliable than most mainstream listing sections.

I’d also suggest checking in with rob mclennan for his wide-ranging selection of poetry, interviews, and rob's personal perspectives on the local scene. Also check out in-the-know Kathryn Hunt for the inside scoop on the Ottawa International Writers Festival and more.

A leading lit photo blogger, John W. MacDonald is best recognized as the guy carrying two or three cameras at every bookish event in the city. His images perfectly capture most of Ottawa’s greatest writers at readings or simply about town.

Ming Wu is another prolific blogger-photographer. I can almost guarantee that you'll see him snapping photos at any hip music event in the city.

To blog, or not to blog
One of my favourite new blogs is that of actor and drama enthusiast Sterling Lynch. Even when toiling away on a Fringe Festival production, he remains dedicated to regular postings that often provoke discussion among his readers. Sterling's headlines are peculiar, yet relevant, such as “Bling, Bling: Arts Marketing 101 Revisited.” He uses philosophical rhetoric to ponder intelligently what many arts enthusiasts are already thinking.

Sterling's comrade Wayne Current blogs with his own unique perspective, while Kris Joseph, Nancy Kenny, and Nadine Thornhill are more great examples of local actors (and occasional playwrights) who share blogged insights on living and working in Ottawa.

Think local, act local
In recent years, people across the city have been encouraging a shift to fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers and to restaurants that serve local produce. I'm all for it! And I encourage a parallel shift in our cultural consumption. For the sweetest and juiciest tips and insight, we should all look to the people who view the local arts scene from an intimate vantage point: writers and bloggers and photographers who are passionate about their work, who want our home-grown talent to be successful on home turf. So hit the world wide web—but stay local!