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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