The Playhouse Theatre should've been bursting at the seams with a throng of passionate artists, musicians and community organisation reps, all hungry for insight on Monday night- but it wasn't. In a golden opportunity that could only arise in a regional community like Bundaberg, local media powerhouses Trish Mears from Sea FM, Renae Henry from Channel 7, Nikki Sorbello from the NewsMail, Ross Peddlesden from ABC Wide Bay and PR consultant Alisa Cork spent their evening at the "Are the Arts Newsworthy?" forum at the Playhouse Theatre, divulging the secrets of how to attract media coverage and make an arts exhibition or cultural event into news. As an enthusiastic supporter of a local arts scene as a vital part of a sustainable community, I really wanted to know if the arts are indeed newsworthy. What I didn't expect was to learn so much information that would be of great value to literally any community organisation in our region - including my own - not just artists and cultural organisations. Here then, for the benefit of those who didn't attend, are just a few of the important gems I learned from the forum:

1. The arts are indeed newsworthy when there is a human element that can be highlighted. The artist and what makes them tick is going to make for a more interesting story than the artist's scuplture, song, or play. This works regardless of the organisation or event- find the human side to it and you've found the story.

2. "Health, heart and pocketbook" are the topics that work - how does the story or event affect people's health, their emotions or their finances? Find one of these angles in the story you want to tell about your event.

3. What's the WOW factor- is it the biggest, most, largest, smallest, most expensive, first, most unusual, oldest, youngest?

4. Get plenty of coverage by giving your media contacts advance notice, but not too much advance notice- and don't forget to follow up regularly.

5. Make it easy for your media contact person, they're busy people. Call them first to tell them about it, as briefly as possible. Follow up with a well written emailed or faxed media release containing all the vital information, and don't forget to provide contact information for someone who will actually be available. Make sure the subject line is precise and to the point, and if it mentions Bundaberg, even better. Provide a photo, let them know a time and date you'll be available to be interviewed, tell them when and where to be to get the best coverage and shots.

6. Network. Attend community forums like this one! If they already know you, they're much more likely to use your release or be willing to do a story about you or your event.

7. Collaborate. In the Wide Bay region, groups and artists tend to "do their own thing." Bring together a number of different organisations or artists to contribute to an event. This minimises the work and financial risk for any one person or organisation, it raises the media profile of all the participants and it supports and encourages a stronger community.

By attending the forum, not only did I learn these useful insights, I also had the chance to chat personally with each of the panelists, as well as two councillors, a councillor candidate and a local artist. I'd like to personally thank all of the panelists for giving their time to share the information with the community, and many thanks as well to our local arts council Bamboin Inc. and the Bundaberg Players for presenting the forum. It was a unique and invaluable experience.

Andi Hazelwood
SustainaBundy