'abouttheartist' (ATA) is a web design and hosting service for artists or artists' estates seeking to create definitive websites about their work or a comprehensive online catalogue raisonné.
Take control over content and cost by choosing ATA. Choose from a full site build (where ATA does all the work for you) to a user-controlled system (that let's you add content through your web browser), or a combined approach. Cataloguers can publish their work in progress, enable other users to submit content, and make rapid amendments and updates.
Powered by the open source Drupal engine, ATA sites or catalogues harness the power of this
tried and tested content management system (CMS) and offers bespoke qualities at low cost. The
‘front end’ of the web site can be altered cosmetically with a few global changes, giving the
system its adaptability and letting artists choose a style they like. The real power, however,
is behind the scenes.
CMS generates websites from a database of information about the work, automatically updating, sorting and structuring records as they are added or edited. Adding new content is as simple as supplying an Excel spreadsheet or filling out a form online. The user can manage the content with their own log-in password, or, if you prefer, ATA can handle all your data input from initial set-up to regular updates. All changes are first made to a mirror site and bedded in so that nothing propagates to the live site without approval and the service is never interrupted due to maintenance.
Once the data for each work is entered, the site can present that data in a multitude of ways. Importantly, only one master image per work needs to be uploaded – every thumbnail, slideshow, mid-size or full screen picture is generated automatically from that one image. New work can be added using the standard data input form and Drupal does the rest, placing the work into the correct sort order and adjusting all lists or thumbnail views automatically.
ATA also uses a modular approach, meaning that you only need to pay for the features you actually need but later upgrades are possible. New functions can be built in using Drupal's existing library of solutions or we can write bespoke code to enhance Drupal's native abilities.
powerful
- Uses the tried and tested Drupal publishing and Content Management System
- Drupal is always being refined and updated by the development community to ensure compliance with new web standards and cross-platform requirements
- Catalogue raisonnés can be uploaded direct from Excel spreadsheets or other databases
- Content can be presented in a multitude of ways with a modular set of features, such as image views, slideshows, thumbnail grids, catalogues, indexes, embedded video, etc.
- Definitive content such as exhibition news, CVs, essays, info pages, glossaries, reviews, etc are easy to add and update. A user commenting or image submission system can also be activated
simple
- Edit or create data in your browser – no special software needed
- Access your site from any PC
- Standard cataloguing fields hold all your data
- Use your own log-in password to access the content entry system – as easy as filling out a form
- Drop-down lists let you select from categories or entries already used to ensure consistency
- One master image generates all thumbnails, slideshows, and other image views
- Preview all your changes on a mirror site before they go live
affordable
- There's no software to buy
- You pay only for the features you need
- Catalogue raisonné systems start from £3000 plus VAT
- Artist sites start at £1000 plus VAT
- Data entry is just £1.00 per record, or just add whatever you like through your own browser
- Bespoke additions or changes to site systems are clearly priced and quoted for
flexible
- We can scan your slides or transparencies
- We offer guidance on correct cataloguing procedure
