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Eyeline Publishing

What

Eyeline Publishing (EP) produces an Australian art magazine which publishes analysis and criticism of the contemporary visual arts, craft and related media. Eyeline covers events and exhibitions throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific and internationally and is published three times per year.

In 2014, Eyeline was able to extend their digital reach through the Eyeline App and increased digital content on their website. On-line sales increased by 33% as a result.

The Write About Art project delivered by Eyeline in partnership with Flying Arts and the Gallery of Modern Art provided publishing, mentoring, writing experience and skills development for 24 secondary students. This project has been running for a number of years and the sixth anthology of students’ work was produced
in 2014.

Eyeline also received Visual Arts and Craft Strategy (VACS) funding which allowed them to develop international networks and content and to showcase their work at international art fairs and events.

When

2014

Where

Art fairs in Switzerland, Hong Kong, Miami Beach, Singapore, New York, London and India.

Arts Queensland contribution:

$117,000 – Organisations Fund (2014 calendar year)

$52,451 – VACS (2014/15 financial year)

Key stats

  • 4 publications produced
  • 1 workshop delivered
  • 11 art fairs attended
  • 30,400 readership

Outcomes

  • Eyeline’s readership grew by 15% over the past
    three years, despite economic uncertainties and a rapidly changing publishing environment.
  • Eyeline was invited to participate in the most prestigious juried international art fairs, demonstrating the export quality of its work and international standing. The art fairs were cost effective showcasing opportunities for Eyeline and its artists and writers to key audiences.
  • Eyeline renewed its partnership agreement with QUT for a seventh term in 2014. This has been vital in securing financial and in-kind support for EP, and underpins the company's ongoing success and stability

Learnings and reflections

Eyeline reflected on their success in 2014:

Overall, we were pleased with Eyeline's program for 2014. The material published in its three issues achieved the content mix we had projected. All work published was original commissioned material. The magazine was well received throughout Australia and overseas.

An indication of Eyeline’s success is that it is being increasingly sought out throughout Australia and internationally. Current and back issues experienced sales growth during 2014. An example of this level of interest is the numbers of institutions (public libraries, colleges, universities, schools) subscribing to the magazine. Institutional subscriptions are 36% of all subscriptions. These reach substantially more readers than individual subscriptions.

One thing which has worked particularly well is that we have our own Eyeline App rather than going through a third party platform as other Australian art magazines do. It gives us more independence in shaping the app and has made for a more functional and better designed display. The local digital startup company, Liquid State developed the app in close consultation with us, and their expertise has underpinned its success. 

 

Contact for further information

Website: www.eyelinepublishing.com

Links

Eyeline App Demonstration:

https://vimeo.com/121001304

Eyeline Website tour demonstrating extent of the archive; quality of writers; and capabilities of the site:

https://vimeo.com/121006481

 

Case study page photo: Eyeline booth at the India Art Fair. Photo: Sarah Follent