For many contributors, it’s been the summer holidays, and we’ve taken a break since the build up to the launch. But now it’s a good time to get working again on n.e.w.s.

We got good feedback about the website platform during ISEA — both in small discussions with the contributors in Singapore (Ingrid, Mustafa, Rich, Renée and myself), as well as during the launch itself, and in small groups again, after the event. It’s important to acknowledge the achievement of putting the website together — of all the contributions and discussions: for many of us, the issue of cultural diversity was recurring topic; Inti, Rich and Yuliya talked about their specific regions or specific projects; Mia and Stephen, the outside and inside of the artworld; Ade, Inti and Stephen, about traffic; Branka and Mia, about web 2.0 and immaterial labour; Ingrid, Thomas, Mustafa and Stephen, about “world art” ... and so on.

At the same time, it’s also important, I believe, to question what we’ve done and where we want to go from here — to see how all this has built something, from which to evolve. The plan was to put n.e.w.s. out there, to get the critical feedback from the launch at ISEA — we were deliberate about not launching it an art venue, which would have been a very different audience — and to look at the site and to decide how to go future.

The feedback in Singapore raised questions about the website’s design, structure and purpose. The experience of putting it out there gave us the impression that people appreciated the central ideas of what the project was about, but they also wanted to see where it would go next. For instance, at the launch, we didn’t answer the question, “who exactly is n.e.w.s. for?” — the panellists wouldn’t say definitively, because it hasn’t yet been about targeting specific audiences, but opening up to possibilities. On its part, the audience didn’t speculate or make demands of its own. Rather, the audience, like the contributing curators, were both very keen to see how things would unfold over time.

In smaller discussions after the launch we got into some detail about the look and structure of the website. There were varying opinions about its appearance, and how we might change it. Some functions of the website haven’t been fully utilised, like the forums, stories, books, tagging, bookmarking and the polls, and there were suggestions on how to implement those. So how we can best utilise Drupal in such a way to fit our needs? But all these questions can only be resolved if there’s a clear sense of direction, and in that regard, what’s essential is how decisions about directions will be made.

The predictable lesson of ISEA — and predictability doesn’t make it any less valuable — is that you get so much from meeting in person. For all the capacities that the internet offers us, having n.e.w.s. physically launch at ISEA has been critical for the project’s development.

We met many people at the launch and throughout the proceedings of ISEA and obtained their feedback, but one of the highlights in Singapore was meeting Prayas Abhinav, an artist from India who attended ISEA and the in-conjunction ASEF summit (Asia Europe Foundation). He came to the n.e.w.s. launch, and in our conversations with him following that, Renée and I decided to invite him to join the n.e.w.s. team as a contributing curator. He’s got good ideas, knows a lot about the technologies, and has great enthusiasm for the project. This is exactly what a launch should be all about — to meet new persons who want to get involved, to get them on board, and to further develop the project.

I also feel that it’s time, now that the website is up and running, that Renée, Sannetje and Tiong — members of the n.e.w.s. foundation who have hitherto been in the background, making everything happen — that they should join the list of contributors. 

Renée, Prayas and I have been discussing some the next steps for n.e.w.s., including: having a position statement that clarifies who n.e.w.s. is for — how to participate, its open access philosophy and so on. This position statement could perhaps be developed as one of the first collaborative writing exercises on the website. This will appear as a “book” for about a week or so in order to get feedback from everyone about changes, where applicable.

The three of us also discussed how to develop n.e.w.s. as a tool for its stakeholders — and what should be our priorities: should we seek out and support community-level networking and art journalism initiatives, for instance? It goes with the name, “news” — we want to be a platform for news about art from around the world — news that slightly shifts our understandings, news that reflects the founders’ initial mission statements. 

We also discussed revenue generating possibilities. In Singapore, after the launch, we talked with the various funders who were present (ASEF, Mondriaan, for example) and discussed how we see n.e.w.s. developing. Since part of our present business model diverges from most Web 2.0 sites by including paid contributions we are working on a larger business plan in order to facilitate n.e.w.s. during the next year. We are in the process of planning a roadmap for the development of n.e.w.s.

Again, please keep an eye on the “books” section to find the Roadmap of what we have so far — this should be happening very soon. What’s crucial for the Roadmap is solid financial support. And it seems our strategy for now is to look to foundations for grants, as well as venture capital but to explore the prospects of n.e.w.s. generating its own revenues. Of course, all this should be discussed amongst the “stakeholders” of the project.

Right now we are drafting the plan for the year that facilitates using n.e.w.s. for various events, gatherings and symposia. This will merge all of our meetings, discussions and incorporates the feedback so far, in order to facilitate a strong continuation of n.e.w.s. Although it is a bit raw and sketchy, the Roadmap will include potential partnerships for next year, for example: solicitation for n.e.w.s. at the Sharjah Biennale; “Unsustainable Conversations” in Southeast Asia; a residency and meeting at Khoj in India in March; and an eventual presentation in the Netherlands.

Also coming soon is something that Renée and I have been discussing: a forum about the many biennales that will have opened in East Asia this September. We are thinking of convening this in mid-October. The particular topic for discussion could be developed as a poll on n.e.w.s. or amongst ourselves within the forum if many topics appear.

What of course is critical is your feedback — as contributors so far. We are hoping that all of you will be willing to continue contributing in some way, either as an integral “stakeholder” or user. Especially the next couple of weeks, in which we discuss how we can best structure and continue the site.

So, let’s ask ourselves: what are the key issues? Should we suggest them as book topics, or forums? We’ve talked about issues such as “cultural diversity” — shall we pick up on that, and if so, then how best should we go about developing our discussion of it? Or what type of “exit strategies” could be implemented using n.e.w.s? These are just some questions for starters. I hope you can react to the recent uploaded content in the coming days and share your ideas.

My role as moderator for the launch has concluded but I am committed to n.e.w.s. and will continue to contribute during the coming months.

Next up is Renée and Prayas, who will be initiating the drafts of the roadmap, and the position statement.