Will Internet Art Displace Tradition?

The National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) Survey of Public Participation in the Arts shows clearly that adults are accessing the Internet for a significant portion of their arts experiences. The Survey summary lists that approximately 30% of adults are accessing the Internet on a regular basis. If you have not checked out this survey, the summary is available at (www.arts.gov/research/NEA-SPPA-brochure.pdf).

What I find particularly interesting in the changing nature of artistic participation is the desire for participants to be actively involved in the artistic process itself. It appears that the "age" of the passive audience model is waning. When you drill down to the basics this does make sense, and is quite healthy, as engagement in the artistic process itself allows for the fullest impact to be felt and understood.

In the live arts venues we have seen a number of creative and effective participant involvement efforts in the visual and media arts, and some rare examples in the performing arts, although the latter here are generally found mostly in cutting edge, not mainstream organizations. On the Internet there is an example of participant engagement that I find particularly provocative. It's (www.artistshare.com). Here you can engage actively in the creation of musical works. You can offer ideas and participate in a discussion with composer/artists. You can become so deeply involved as to be listed on resultant recordings. There is a "pay-to-play" fee at raked levels, allowing you access according to the level of your membership.

Given the two factors listed above, of increasing adult participation on the Internet, and increasing demand for active participation in the art formation and performance itself, it's fun to speculate that a fundamental transformation in artistic organizational structure is already underway. Following the trends of exceptionally lower passive audience participation, especially in iconic genres and organizations, plus these two other trend items, what will the "live" arts world, especially the performing arts world look like in 5 years?

Now is the time for emerging leaders to grasp these dynamic trends and shape them for the benefit of all.

from http://www.artsjournal.com/state/2010/03/does-internet-art-displace-the.html