MSPmakrs

Update

Lots of progress is being made developing the MSPmakrs site… launch plans and announcements are being put together, and news is forthcoming. I realize it’s been a little bit of a wait getting this up and running, but I can say that there is plenty being developed that will blow your socks off in terms of what is being offered and how.

Big thanks goes out to all who have been following us here and/or on Twitter & Facebook, your support is much appreciated!

ARTISTS: Don’t forget to join our Flickr group at http://www.flickr.com/groups/mspmakrs/ and add your artwork/photos to be considered for one of our very first featured artists posts!

Finally, don’t forget to reserve your MAKRS username now at http://msp.makrs.com.

MAKRS is coming soon… stay tuned!

-stephen h

MSPmakrs on Facebook

We’re sharing art news and resources links from our Facebook fan page. Go like us and follow along!

Introducing MAKRS

On our site, we describe ourselves as “a new city-local social network, marketplace & resources site for artists & art lovers of all disciplines”… but you could be asking yourself ‘what does that mean?’

First, a Short History
The MAKRS network actually began in Portland, Oregon under the name PDXist, as a website that was built to offer social networking(with profiles, portfolio albums, forums, etc.), free website building for artists/galleries/organizations, event listing an artists’ resources blog(listing calls for art, grant/residency/job/freelance opportunities, and other inspiration/resources links) and more. During the beta, some necessary organizational changes occurred that changed the focus of the project, and thus, MAKRS was born.

The Present & Future
Currently, MAKRS is in development, preparing for a beta launch this upcoming month, and a public launch planned for this spring. Some features will be launching sooner though, like an artists’ resources blog(opening in 1-2 weeks) and our social networking accounts(see links on our page below) which are already online and will be sharing general interest art events and resources in the meantime.

For the future, the features being developed for the MAKRS website network include:

  • Features previously built into our old site(social networking, website building, event listings, artists’ resources, etc.)
  • Enhanced tools for art galleries and music/performance venues like free listing in interactive online & printable maps, online collection/exhibition representations, and other advertising/marketing opportunities.
  • Art news and editorial coverage, covering all aspects of the local arts scene including visual arts, music, film, theatre/dance/performance art, craft arts, and more.
  • Educational partnerships, offering online and offline educational courses and workshops for up-and-coming artists for free or a nominal cost. Additionally, an online archive of free streaming video workshops is planned, with topics to include everything from art history, method/techinque training, website building and social media best practices, and so on.

The MAKRS Mission
The development, nurturing, and support of artists and art-related groups & organizations is the primary goal of the MAKRS organization and website network. Creation of online city-local network websites to act as a comprehensive listing and celebration of the city’s cultural offerings are the primary objective, enabling artists, galleries and other organizations & groups to find local art-lovers and vice versa, fostering a greater awareness and appreciation of local arts & culture.

MAKRS will be incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. No donations are being solicited at this time. Calls for volunteer board members and community advocates will be forthcoming in the near future.

More information coming soon!

-stephen h
Founder/Director,
makrs.com