By Staff
This is the first in a series of columns about websites which I find to be among the most useful. Because library staff use the Internet to answer many reference questions, we become especially familiar with the best sources of information available on the web.
Artseverywhere.org is one of my favorite websites, and it is just a little more than a year old. It features information about arts and cultural events throughout the Michiana region.
It is an initiative of the Community Foundation of Saint Joseph County. The ArtsEverywhere initiative was launched in December, 2004 with an extraordinary $3 million challenge grant from the Leighton-Oare Foundation.
The site is organized into various categories of the arts. For example, clicking on "Theatre" provides information about a wide range of theatrical events in the area.
Users can browse all the offerings of the Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend Civic Theatre, Notre Dame, area high schools, Amish Acres, The Tin Shop Theatre, Lake Michigan College and many other venues.
The music section is among the largest. No matter what type of music you enjoy, classical, blues, jazz, rock etc., you will likely be able to locate a nearby performance.
Other sections include dance, visual arts, film, and poetry and literature. There are also sections which feature special events and festivals and kid friendly fare, and free events.
Each entry provides details about the event, including a description of the performance, location and parking, ticketing and cost, as well as phone numbers for additional information.
The site is intended to serve both patrons of the arts and the artists themselves. There is a 'classified' section with jobs, auditions and items for sale listed. Organizations can easily add their activities to the listings.
The site is very user friendly and has many useful features. If you are looking for something to do on a particular day, clicking on the site's calendar provides a menu of arts related activities for a single date from which to choose. Click on "eSaver Discounts" to find special discounted tickets to events.
I highly recommend this site to anyone who is interested in the arts and culture. The wide variety of activities might surprise you.