Arts + Labs

In a proactive move to reach consumers in a digital age, several main technology and creative organizations have formed a coalition called Arts+Labs. The site, www.artsandlabs.com, is an effort to educate the consumer on the thousands of ways to use the internet to their benefit, from buying and sharing music to providing creators with a viable method of disseminating their work for profit.In a proactive move to reach consumers in a digital age, several main technology and creative organizations have formed a coalition called Arts+Labs. The site, www.artsandlabs.com, is an effort to educate the consumer on the thousands of ways to use the internet to their benefit, from buying and sharing music to providing creators with a viable method of disseminating their work for profit. Huge names, like AT&T, Viacom, NBC Universal, Cisco, Microsoft and the Songwriters Guild of America, are all involved, regarding the Internet “as a vibrant town center where all consumers can safely choose from a vast array of digital products, entertainment and services.”

The group also continues to hammer it home that illegal file-sharing, malware, and spam are the quickest way to ruining the great democracy of the internet. Arts+Labs is co-chaired by Mike McCurry, former White House press secretary to President Bill Clinton (1995-1998) and public policy spokesperson and Mark McKinnon, a former songwriter and newspaper editor who is widely regarded as one of the most conscientious and insightful voices on the use of modern media. Rick Carnes, president of the Songwriter’s Guild of America is also involved as a member of Arts+Labs advisory board. Speaking towards this new opportunity for songwriters, Carnes said “The Internet provides access to the largest possible audience, which is a real opportunity for songwriters,” Carnes said. “Arts+Labs supports an Internet environment that recognizes the vital role creators play, while offering consumers a digital concert hall of safe, legal and affordable music.” Basically the site is trying to catalyze the relationship between creator and consumer as a platform for mutual benefit, features different websites and products daily. Think of it as a digital version of that triangular neon sign you see walking into a mall… ‘oh there’s the Old Navy.”