Abstract

Lets Go Global is an arts-led community Internet TV channel which was founded in 2003 to develop the means for local people to have an active and creative role in their communities. It operates from a production studio located in a community setting in Old Trafford, Manchester. It was the first community Internet TV channel in the country to be operated by a local authority. Lets Go Global forms part of Trafford’s Arts & Cultural Development Section.

Lets Go Global brings together a wide range of people that participate, share ideas and collaborate to create content that enables different voices to be heard. Working with many leading new media artists to facilitate this process, it aims to challenge the artistic and social possibilities of new technologies. The demand for this activity has been very high, with many local authorities and development agencies, nationally and regionally, recognising the identified benefits of their own community led content and broadcasting/publishing tools. Lets Go Global epitomises the democratising power of the digital revolution, enlisting the imaginations of deprived communities from across Greater Manchester to test the artistic possibilities of new technology. Perceived as being ‘ahead of their time’, the brand identity combines both artistic innovation and community empowerment.

• Karen Shannon Arts Development Manager: New Media, Lets Go Global, Trafford Council, Greater Manchester, UK

Full text (PDF)  p. 1001-1005