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Online Communities
A community is a group of people living together as a smaller social unit within a larger one,
and having interests, work, etc., in common. Similarly, an online community focuses on a group
of people with common interests, only their interests are mediated through a computer network
rather than through physical proximity.
Another definition for an online community is a communication network that has, at its core, the
strong voices of specific groups. Examples are ArtsWire and
Echo-NYC. These organizations
intend to develop a broad and inclusive online community that allows distinct communities to
establish their own standards and patterns of use within a system that reinforces democratic
values and encourages interaction among its users.
The Culture*Net Project by the
Center for Arts Management and Technology at Carnegie Mellon
University is another example of an online community. This project is designed to assist artists
and arts organizations in creating a productive and sophisticated Web site or updating an
existing site. All of this work is focused on helping artists and arts organizations create a
stronger and more effective relationship with their audience and their colleagues.
Generally speaking, arts organizations that have created an online community have found it
beneficial in three ways. First, it lets other arts organizations in the same area know that
they can have a presence or link on the Web through the online community. Second, it sends
the message that the organization is proactive and engaged with the outside world. Finally,
audiences who browse the Web can find the online community and learn more about the
organization that hosts the site.
Several other examples of arts-related online communities were found in this research:
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