The Arts: Sharing Center Stage on the Internet BOF (ARTS) Reported by Scott Stoner/ARTSEDGE at The Kennedy Center Session Focus Scott Stoner welcomed participants and outlined three goals for the meeting: 1) define what is to be accomplished as a working group; 2) establish a work plan; and 3) identify a name for the working group. Participants received a copy of the draft charter for an proposed arts and humanities working group that was developed as a result of the previous Arts BOF held in San Jose. Prior to discussion of the above, the chair also asked for reaffirmation from the group that there was a need to establish an IETF working group focused on arts and humanities issues. There was unanimous agreement among participants that the need exists and those present were willing to contribute to the development and implementation of a work plan. It became apparent that a significant number of individuals who attended the previous BOF sessions had not been added to the ARTS mailing list (which is why there was little response to the draft charter that was circulated prior to this meeting). Joyce Reynolds assured participants that she would retrieve rosters of participants from each of the ARTS BOF meetings and make certain all would be included on the ARTS mailing list. Discussion Stoner asked the group to review the goals listed in the draft charter document and to discuss whether there were additional needs not addressed by the goals. The primary need identified as a result of initial discussion (and re-affirmed from previous BOF discussions) is the lack of information and understanding between the technology-based engineering community and the arts/humanities community about how the Internet can serve as a tool and resource for sharing unique and complex arts/humanities content. The mission of the working group should thus focus on building a bridge between the two communities that ensures adequate representation of broad-based arts/humanities interests. The IETF, through the interests and resources of its members, provides the most appropriate venue and infrastructure to accomplish the above (no other organization has defined and/or responded to this important need). Discussion then focused on defining and prioritizing objectives and activities that would initiate and support an ongoing link between the engineering and arts/humanities communities. There was consensus that arts and humanities constituents need a greater understanding of ways in which the Internet can be used for purposes of creating, viewing, and storing arts/humanities-based information and resources, as well as for problem-solving and reinforcing an on-line community. It was determined 1 this would best be handled through the development of a FAQ regarding the value and role of the arts in the Internet. The FAQ document will be developed by first circulating a document among key arts/humanities institutions and organizations nationally that 1) summarizes key options and opportunities for integrating arts/humanities content and functions in the Internet, and 2) surveys the constituents regarding needs and concerns they have regarding access and use of the Internet. The survey results will be analyzed by working group members as the basis for developing the FAQ. BOF participants identified some of the initial questions to be included in the survey document as follows (note: these are only presented as examples in the order that they were presented during discussion). o What are your concerns regarding widespread dissemination of copyrighted material? o What type of arts/humanities content do you have to share? (As an individual artist/writer or as an institution?) o Are you currently using the Internet? How? (If not, why not?) o How do you want to use it (e.g., to create, seek information, store information, etc.)? It was also determined that the survey should be structured primarily as multiple-choice questions and that respondents should be asked to prioritize (i.e., rank-order) their responses to some questions. Several BOF participants volunteered to assist with the preparation of the survey instrument to ensure easy distribution, collection and analysis of responses (including an on-line database to be hosted by a university server). An outline for the document and survey will be developed and expanded via the ARTS Working Group mailing list. Participants agreed that a draft document (4-5 pages) and survey could be developed and completed for final review and approval at the next IETF meeting (July 1995). Working group participants would also use the next three months to identify individuals , organizations, and institutions to receive the document and survey. This will include constituencies from performing arts centers, visual art and cultural museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions and organizations. Discussion next focused on a second goal for the working group, which would be to define presentation options and tools for artists and organizations to create, view, and store content on the Internet. This would include tools and operating systems to support text, sound, and both still and motion images. It would also include an introduction written for users with basic computer skills, glossary of basic terminology and bibliography. A draft outline for key areas of this FYI RFC document will be developed for presentation at the next IETF and a work plan defined at that meeting. The third goal of the working group will be to address priority issues and concerns as identified by the arts/humanities community from the 2 survey results. This will most likely include issues surrounding copyright and intellectual property, funding, and other support for arts/humanities participation in the Internet. The final part of the discussion produced a name for the arts/humanities working group which is: ``Supporting Humanities and Arts' Research and Engineering'' (SHARE). Outcomes The following is expected to take place as a result of the ARTS BOF session: A charter proposal will be presented to the IESG to establish the SHARE Working Group. A draft document (4-5 pages) regarding the role and value of the arts/humanities on the Internet and accompanying survey will be developed and presented for final review and approval at the July 1995 IETF meeting. The document and survey will then be circulated, responses analyzed and used to develop a draft FAQ for presentation at the December 1995 IETF meeting. A draft outline for an FYI RFC document describing options and opportunities for including arts/humanities content on the Internet will be developed for review and expansion at the July 1995 IETF meeting. A draft document will be developed and presented for review at the December 1995 IETF meeting. The final draft of both documents will be reviewed and approved at the March 1996 IETF meeting. 3