NZ's First Comprehensive Art Portal, Goes Live

Artfind.co.nz, New Zealand’s First Comprehensive Art Portal, Goes Live

AUCKLAND – 9 May 2001 – New Zealand web development company Innovanet Limited today announced the launch of Artfind.co.nz, the first comprehensive art portal showcasing contemporary and traditional New Zealand art. The site goes live with 70 galleries, 650 artworks and 1000 searchable artists. Its tailor made search engine delivers efficient, user-friendly access to the site’s rich content.

Commenting on the new portal, Simon Fisher, of Fishers Fine Arts in Christchurch, an Artfind participating gallery, said “Artfind is a unique and well thought out site. It is easily accessible and very easy to use.”

The idea has come at a time when arts in New Zealand are undergoing a renewal of interest according to Creative New Zealand. “I think Artfind is a fantastic idea and the site is terrific. I wish Artfind every success,” said Peter Biggs, Chair of Creative New Zealand.

According to Artfind Chief Executive, Andrew Ferguson, the 70 galleries represented at the time of launch reflect strong industry endorsement of the portal. “Our aim is to promote art to a wider audience while at the same time catering to the specialist needs of the industry”, he said.

The site aims to represent all galleries in New Zealand. “Who has time to visit all the galleries in one city, let alone in New Zealand?” commented Charles Tongue of Studio of Contemporary Art in Auckland, another Artfind participating gallery. “Through the Internet, Artfind is the perfect medium for such a task.”

About Artfind.co.nz

Artfind.co.nz is owned by Auckland company Innovanet Limited. The company was formed in 2000 as a vehicle to develop web services to the New Zealand art industry. Artfind.co.nz contains a database of galleries, artists, artworks and art events, all of which can be accessed by a customised search engine. This enables visitors to search for artists and galleries by name, region or category. In addition art can be searched for by price, medium and size. Artfind.co.nz also lists exhibitions and other art events.

Artfind is a content rich source of information where art buyers can research artists and galleries nationally and preview available artworks. Artfind supports the ideal that in order to appreciate art, it is best viewed first-hand. The site functions as a single portal to promote New Zealand art to a wider international audience.

More information on Artfind is available at www.artfind.co.nz

For further information, please call:
Andrew Ferguson, Chief Executive, Artfind, Tel: 09 630-6006,
Mobile: 025 246-1030, Email: Andrew@artfind.co.nz

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