A new partnership between Audiences NI and CultureNorthernIreland will see artslistings assume a new online identity – Culture Live, operating exclusively through www.culturenorthernireland.org. After significant re-development the website will be re-launched in early 2008 with the new event listings function in place.

The new site will combine the rich editorial and multimedia content of CultureNorthernIreland with an easy to use, quick events search function delivered by Audiences NI. The result will offer visitors a one-stop shop for events information with direct links to online ticket booking.

Steven Hadley, CEO of Audiences NI said:

‘We’re delighted to be joining forces with CultureNorthernIreland. While artslistings.com has offered an online event search function for some time, culturenorthernireland.org offers a wealth of content that fully harnesses the capabilities of new technology. The result is a much more appropriate channel to communicate the full experiential impact of live culture – a sound or movie clip can convey so much more than words on a page.

‘From research we’ve carried out, it’s clear that the majority of audiences want, and indeed expect, to access information about cultural events by email or online. This, combined with the loss of key sponsorship from NITB, has informed our decision to stop producing the artslistings magazine and move exclusively online.

'CultureNorthernIreland will continue to use up to date technology to promote arts and culture in Northern Ireland, with Audiences NI providing as many ways as possible for people to access and participate in the arts.’

David Lewis, Director of CultureNorthernIreland said:

‘Since its inception in 2004 CultureNorthernIreland has become NI’s foremost arts and cultural website, with over 65,000 visitors a month. The new listings service provides the logical final step in translating a virtual cultural experience into a real experience of culture and arts in NI, benefiting both the arts sector and the cultural tourism industry. With the expertise of Audiences NI on board we are confident that the new site will be a powerful marketing tool for the sector.’

Culture Live will be launched early in 2008 as part of the new www.culturenorthernireland.org website. Audiences NI will keep members and stakeholders fully up to date on when the new service is due to go live, and artslistings.com will continue to operate as usual until that date. Meanwhile member listings should be sent as usual to listings@audiencesni.com. If you have any queries please contact Alice Lewis on alice.lewis@audiencesni.com.