Top social networking for visual art lovers and artists

Below is a list of the top ten social networking sites that cater specifically to people interested in visual art.

(Source ArtMarket Blog)

http://www.myartspace.com
myartspace is an online community with more than 50,000 artists, collectors, students, teachers, gallerists, curators, critics and art appreciators across the world. myartspace is free and open to all. Members can create a profile of themselves and upload an unlimited quantity of their work including images, music, audio narration and video.

http://www.artreview.com
artreview.com is an exciting new social networking site for the artworld, creating a global forum for discussion, interactivity and debate. artreview.com is a unique blend of editorial and community content, combining the insight and critical weight of some of today’s most important artworld voices with the input and opinions of everyday enthusiasts from around the world.

http://www.artmesh.org
#artmesh is an inspiring and innovative network for those who live and love the fine arts. The difference to other art communities is the fact that - additionally to just showcasing artist’s work - #artmesh focuses on the interests of art lovers and art professionals as well.#artmesh is about communication and collaboration, about inspiration and the exploration of the boundless possibilities of a progressive and innovative virtual art-network.

http://www.artslant.com
ArtSlant.com, the #1 contemporary art network, launched in Los Angeles in February, 2007. It is a sophisticated website that brings a local and in-depth focus to the contemporary art scene. ArtSlant’s profiles put the spotlight on everyone in the art community. Artists, art professionals, art orgs, and art lovers can have their own showcase to exhibit their work, expose their business or talk about their involvement in the scene. In our community you will also find picks and reviews, jobs and opportunities, schools, blogs, and groups.

http://www.artlog.com
Artlog is the place for you to connect with folks, share your work and discover innovative new art & design. Artlog is for art makers, insiders, organizations and art lovers. This global community of art lovers, artists and industry insiders is only as vibrant as you make it. So follow interesting artists, make professional connections, post your work and let your voice be heard – “If you see something, say something!

http://www.independent-collectors.com/
Independent Collectors is an online tool targeted at modern and inquisitive collectors. It makes building a personal network and sharing information about topics like artists, galleries or events much easier and faster. In their personal profiles, collectors can talk about art preferences and present their own collection. Specific search functions help to find like-minded collectors or those living in the same area.

http://www.artselector.com
The artselector contemporary fine art collective was originally set up by MA Fine Art graduates of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Art. artselector offers an innovative visual directory of international contemporary fine artists, independent curators and galleries

http://www.rhizome.org
Rhizome’s community includes thousands of artists, academics, curators, critics, and other new media art enthusiasts. Profiles is a collection of community profiles that contains artist portfolios, blogs, biographies, and other details on each individual member. Profiles was developed in the hope of sparking connections and collaborations across regional or cultural boundaries and strengthening the new media art scene as a whole.

http://www.labforculture.org/en/labforculture/browse
We work with and for artists, arts and culture organisations and networks, cultural professionals and audiences in the 50 countries of Europe, as well as providing a platform for cultural cooperation between Europe and the rest of the world. Our mission is both to ensure that all those working on cultural collaboration have access to up-to-the-minute information and to encourage the cultural sector to become more experimental with online technologies.

http://www.artbistro.com
ArtBistro brings members of the visual art community together to network, advance careers, and to foster a community with exclusive benefits where information about artists and designers is provided by artists and designers.

22 jaar geleden verdwenen 'Oude Meesters', deels terecht.

'Galeriebaas liet doeken verdwijnen'

(Source, De Telegraaf.nl, door Ron Couwenhoven, 7 maart '09)
SCHIN OP GEUL - Een team van de nationale recherche heeft acht meesterwerken van zeventiende-eeuwse topschilders als Willem van der Velde, Jan Brueghel de Jonge en David Teniers achterhaald bij een inval in een woning in het Zuid-Limburgse Schin op Geul. De doeken verdwenen 22 jaar geleden onder dubieuze omstandigheden.
De schilderijen, met een geschatte waarde van 15 miljoen euro, verdwenen in 1987 uit de galerie van Robert Noortman in Maastricht. Noortman zou zelf bij de verdwijning betrokken zijn geweest. Uit de galerie van de twee jaar geleden overleden Robert Noortman verdwenen indertijd negen schilderijen, waaronder ook een van Meindert Hobbema. Dit meesterwerk is nog steeds spoorloos. Hij kocht het stuk voor ongeveer 80.000 euro, maar verzekerde het later voor 1 miljoen euro. Verzekeringsmaatschappij Lloyd's betaalde in totaal een bedrag van 5 miljoen gulden uit. Lees artikel...
http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3414598/___Galeriebaas_liet_doeken_verdwijnen___.html?p=3,2

'Noortman zelf zou de Hobbema verbranden' (Update 8 Maart)
Sleutelrol voor Ben Zuidema door Ron Couwenhoven (De Telegraaf)

ROERMOND, zondag - Eind november vorig jaar kreeg Ben Zuidema een merkwaardig telefoontje: "Sie sprechen mit Kahn." Maar Ben kende helemaal geen Kahn. "Ik ben een collega van u en wil u spreken over de zaak-Noortman", zei de onbekende. "Toen was mijn belangstelling onmiddellijk gewekt, want in 1987 had ik intensief voor Robert Noortman gewerkt toen er negen schilderijen uit zijn galerie in Maastricht verdwenen waren. Maar op een gegeven moment zei hij dat ik moest stoppen met mijn onderzoek", zegt Zuidema. Lees het verhaal...

http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3420605/__Sleutelrol_voor_Ben_Zuidema__.html