Apologies for cross posting.

For immediate release: 11th November 2003

Artifact successfully launches in Manchester and London.

Loyd Grossman, journalist, writer and TV presenter and Sir George Sweeney, Principal of Knowsley
Community College joined guests at the London Institute Gallery and the Manchester Art Gallery to
help launch a major new information service for the arts and creative industries.

Artifact, www.artifact.ac.uk is a freely available Internet gateway developed by a consortium of
partners led by the Manchester Metropolitan University. Artifact provides quick and easy searchable
access to the best arts and creative industries information on the Internet.  It has been
specifically designed to support the learning, teaching and research needs of those in post-16
education but is also perfect for anyone interested in any aspect of the arts and creative
industries.

Loyd Grossman was joined by Sir Michael Bichard KCB, Rector of the London Institute at the London
Institute Gallery, whilst Sir George Sweeney was joined by Alexandra Burslem, Vice-Chancellor of the
Manchester Metropolitan University for the launch at the Manchester Art Gallery.

Both Mrs. Burslem and Sir Michael Bichard welcomed the service, commending the JISC's Resource
Discovery Network for making access to high quality information so much easier for Higher and
Further Education. Sir George Sweeney was pleased to note that Artifact has been created and
developed, from the start, with the needs of Further Education as well as Higher Education in mind.

Loyd Grossman highlighted the fact that such interesting and diverse sites as 'Guerrilla Girls' and
'24 Hour Museum' could be found within Artifact proving that it will become invaluable to such a
wide range of people working in the arts and creative industries as well as students, teachers and
researchers alike.

Artifact is collaborating with a range of partners in education and industry to ensure that the
user is connected to the best website resources, carefully selected for their academic quality and
subject relevance by experts in the field.

Artifact continues to grow, with new resources added daily and additional services planned for the
specific needs of the arts and creative industries community.  Artifact also welcomes recommended
sites, so if you know of a resource that should be included in Artifact, complete the online
suggestions form at http://www.artifact.ac.uk/suggest.php

Artifact covers a vast range of subjects, from traditional art and design disciplines, architecture
and the performing arts to new media, technology and the 'creative industries', encompassing
fashion, broadcasting, interior design, film, advertising, dance, galleries, animation, music,
publishing, graphic design, crafts, costume, textiles, fine arts, museums, sculpture, industrial
design and theatre and many other topics reflecting the higher and further education curricula in
the UK.
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Notes to Editors:

Artifact was launched at the Manchester Art Gallery and the London Institute Gallery simultaneously
on Monday 10th November 2003,
6pm - 8.30pm.

Based at the Manchester Metropolitan University, Artifact is a partnership between CALIM (the
Consortium of Academic Libraries in Manchester), South Cheshire College of Further Education, MIMAS
at Manchester Computing and the London Institute, bringing together expertise from these
institutions and from associates and supporters in the educational, government and commercial
sectors across the UK.

Artifact is funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) (http://www.jisc.ac.uk) an
independent advisory body that supports further and higher education by providing guidance and
support in the use of ICT to support learning, teaching and research.

Artifact is one of a number of independent information providers that make up the Resource
Discovery Network (RDN) (http://www.rdn.ac.uk).

The Artifact web site was designed by Alex Turkington, Systems Developer, Artifact.

The Artifact logo and subject icons were designed by Shane Haddock, Creative Director and Neil
Parsons, Senior Creative Designer, C-21 Advertising & Marketing (http://www.c-21.co.uk)

Further Information:
Jayne Everard  - Artifact Service Manager tel: 0161 247 6109