Artwatchnews is a FREE weekly email bulletin listing visual arts news, exhibitions, career and creative development opportunities.

Launched in May 2005, the service is aimed at visual arts practitioners, designers, makers and people with a strong interest or appreciation of the arts.

It is supported by this website which is funded by Arts Council England South East, CIBAS and Rother District Council. The website was developed in August 2006 by artist Sophie Mason who, as a fine arts practitioner with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the local arts community, felt there was a lack of visible and practical communication on visual arts activity in the area. The artwatchnews website acknowledges support from Sarah Lazenby for advising on some of the content and to Julian Sutherland-Beatson for assisting in the design of the homepage.

To find out more about Sophie visit: www.sophiemason.co.uk

Says Sophie: “In a region that is historically so rich in creative talent I felt there was a real need to provide both the weekly email bulletin plus a supporting and integrated website that gives people a much-needed, simple, accessible and valuable visual arts resource.”

One of the aims of artwatchnews is to reach a wide audience in Hastings and the South East and particularly people in rural or inaccessible areas who are unable or not easily able to pick up information on what's going on in their region.

Since Spring 2008 there has been some changes and now the service is no co-ordinated by artist Sarah Yates.

Artwatchnews assists in raising the profile of the arts in the local area improving creative activity and increasing awareness and visibility.

Testimonials

Thanks for keeping me on the email list. I find your messages really interesting. It was particularly exciting to make a contribution on the Saatchi Gallery webpages. Thanks for that- it's really empowering to be able to participate in such a facility. Best wishes, AV 2006

Thanks for including our submission to Artwatch, we have already had 2 responses that look really good. BL 2006

I just wanted to say thank you for the Artwatch and the valuable service it provides. As I suffer from Fibromyalgia and CFS I am limited in the number and type of activities I can get involved in. However having lots of creative energy trapped inside can also cause problems. Also this can make me feel very isolated at times.