General 8-16-2002

The C. R. Index

Introduction to the Community Manager and the Upcoming New mnartists.org

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A number of uncanny correspondences between our new community manager’s life and work are revealed in the following Index. Coincidence? Or are they evidence of some Higher Power at work, a Personnel Manager with omniscience? We may never know–

Hi! My name is Colin Rusch. I was recently hired to be the community manager for mnartists.org. As a Minneapolis-based dance maker with experience in community organizing, web development, and creating business-to-business marketplaces, I am thrilled to be mnartists.org’s liaison for Minnesota artists and arts organizations. Starting this October I will also be facilitating mnartists.org’s new online community forums. If there is a topic you would like to discuss, please send suggestions to colin.rusch@walkerart.org.

This summer we began working to transform mnartists.org into an online hub for Minnesota’s arts community. Below you can learn more about upcoming mnartists.org events, what is happening on the site currently, and a few interesting tidbits about me. But first, dates to mark on your calendar:

Today and every day : Post your news, announcements, and opportunities on mnartists.org. Contact Ann Klefstad at editor@mnartists.org for a password, or email your news to her.

September 20, 2002: Deadline for submissions to 5 Minutes of Fame, a 24-hour online channel of Minnesota artists.
October 2002: mnartists.org relaunches with a new look and increased functionality!

October 18-19, 2002 5 Minutes of Fame, mnartists.org’s online launch celebration. Thousands of people will see your work!

The Facts

Colin’s surface area in square meters:

2.017

Times Colin has unintentionally run into a cement pillar:

2

The surface area of a fifteen-foot-tall, one-foot-square cement pillar in square inches:

8,928

Number of days Colin has lived as of August 11, 2002:

9,811

Date of Colin’s next birthday:

October 1, 2002

Date mnartists.org will be relaunched:

October 2002

New features on mnartists.org starting October 2002:

A new visual design and increased ability for artists to define the look and content of their profiles.

Support for multiple file types, including sound, video, and text files.

Organization profiles. Be the first organization on your block to sign up for mnartists.org. Then let everyone know what you are up to by posting events, news, and opportunities on the site.

Online community software. We will bring you the only online community dedicated exclusively to Minnesota artists. This community will include a bulletin board for artist opportunities, threaded discussions, and resources for your art-making practice. The Utne Cafe has graciously offered to help us develop this functionality. Get ready. We’re going to make it worth your while!

Colin’s favorite food:

Donuts

Estimated number of donuts Colin has eaten in his lifetime:

1,962

Number of artists signed up for mnartists.org as of August 11, 2002:

2,264

Estimated number of donuts Colin will have eaten in his lifetime if he lives 80 years:

5,840

Number of visitor sessions on mnartists.org during June 1-30, 2002:

6,076

Number of visitor sessions on mnartists.org during July 1-30, 2002:

13,083

Average length of those sessions in minutes:

14.4

Reason to post your organization’s news to mnartists.org:

Hundreds of people viewing your announcement daily

Alicia’s date of birth (Alicia is Colin’s sister):

October 19, 1971

Date of Black Monday:

October 19, 1987

Date of 5 Minutes of Fame, mnartists.org new launch celebration:

October 18-19, 2002

Number of years ago Alicia started kindergarten:

24

Number of hours streaming channel will feature Minnesota artists for 5 Minutes of Fame:

24

Points the Dow Jones lost on Black Monday:

508.32

Number of Minnesota artists who will have their work featured in this event:

288

Number of visitors mnartists.org expects to see this event:

20,000

How you can include your work in this event:

Click here

Number of nicknames Colin has that he will tell you about:

4

The number of names mnartists.org has had since its inception:

3

Colin’s nicknames:

Crusch

The Cruscher

Hoss

Mr. Pink

The official name of mnartists.org:

mnartists.org

Colin’s most recent guilty pleasure:

Reality television

Your next online habit, starting in October 2002:

Discussing the last show you saw on mnartists.org

Colin’s e-mail address in case you have questions about mnartists.org or ideas for what you would like to see on the site:

colin.rusch@walkerart.org

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