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Arts council unveils digital hub

If there was ever a time to explore having a digital voice in the world, it's during a pandemic. Don't know where to start? That's where the Prince George & District Community Arts Council Arts North Media Studio comes in.
podcast studio
This podcast studio is part of a new Prince George & District Community Arts Council Arts North program to help individuals and groups learn how to become more digitally visible post-pandemic. Michael Kast photo

If there was ever a time to explore having a digital voice in the world, it's during a pandemic.

Don't know where to start?

That's where the Prince George & District Community Arts Council Arts North Media Studio comes in.

They've got a full circle set up above the Studio 2880 Artisan Gift Shoppe that offers podcasting and livestreaming opportunities, graphic design, product photography studio, guidance on social media usage, e-commerce and a digital editing suite that looks like it could launch a rocket for NASA.

Michael Kast, a local self-taught artist specializing in graphic design, started the Arts North concept and then brought it to the arts council to collaborate with them.

"Putting it all together was an incredibly talented executive director, Sean Farrell," Kast said. "He was the driving force behind it."

When it comes to starting something new, Kast said don't hesitate.

"I believe that anybody, no matter who they are, at any age, can be what they want to be and do what they want to do," Kast said. "Figure out some way to explore it."

That's were Arts North comes in.

The Arts North Media Studio took shape for Kast because he wanted to be part of the Community Arts Council and wondered what that would look like, he said. 

"It all grew out of my desire to give back to the community because Prince George has been very good to me," Kast said. "This started pre-COVID and I just wanted to find a way I could support the council in their promoting and training artists - finding ways for them to reach bigger markets."

There's nothing better than being successful at something you love to do and that's the whole premise behind the Arts North Studio.

Kast said he'll create something he knows will be popular and sell well, which in turn creates the opportunity to indulge in his own individual preference of artwork.

Part of the programming at the Community Arts Council is a business initiative workshop, teaching artists about taxation, insurance and business plans and finances and then Arts North will focus on promotion.

"It's all about wanting to lift up whoever wants to be lifted up and how we can help," Kast said.

"This works for the broader community, especially non-profits, who want to get their message out there."

The new Arts North Media Studio can be accessed by any individual, non-profit or business that is a member of the Prince George & District Community Arts Council.

In the podcast studio, there will also be a camera placed for livestreaming so not just audio but video will be part of what's offered, too.

When restrictions surrounding the pandemic are lifted anyone interested in creating a podcast would have to share their ideas on their concept, who they want to reach, what's the shared message as guidelines are followed to make sure content would be appropriate for listeners.

Guidance would be offered on how to work the equipment, how close to get to the mic, how to not pop your p's or s your s's, Kast said.

Information will also be provided about editing a podcast and promoting it to help grow an audience.

Within the walls of Arts North people can bring in their art, photograph it, send images out on as many social media platforms as they'd like, create graphics to help enhance the viewing experience and then do a podcast to talk about it. 

Membership information and applications are available at https://studio2880.com/gallery-shop/membership-registration/. 

Individual membership is $30 per year, groups are $60, and businesses are $75.

Current Studio 2880 online platforms include Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Arts North platforms are on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Anchor