April 2008 Reader Survey
In April 2008, a special reader survey was sent to persons who subscribed to Artifice. The survey was intended to determine reader preferences for length, geographical scope and listing types. From April 3 to 9, 26 responses were received.
General Results
Preference for listing length was split between full listings included in emails and shorter listings with a link to the Artifice website.
The majority of respondents were interested in listings for the Waterloo Region, which is good because that’s the main geographical target for Artifice! Surprisingly, many also expressed interest in other nearby, under-served areas, such as Hamilton. One respondent was specifically not interested in Toronto, and another was interested in Toronto.
Almost all respondents were interested in at least visual art listings. There was moderate interest in crafts, music and performances, and low interest in health & wellness and other general cultural events. The comments for this question were split between the “other lists cover music/performances” and “it’s all good” sentiments.
Changes/decisions based on survey results
1. Listing length:
Artifice will continue to include full listings, with the goal of offering the choice of full listings and summary listings with a link to the full listings on the Artifice website. This change is targeted for early May.
2. Geographical scope:
Artifice will continue to include listings for the Waterloo Region and other nearby, under-served areas (currently, this is primarily Hamilton). Other provincial and national listings will be included at the editor’s discretion.
3. Listing types:
Artifice will continue to include visual arts listings. Because there is a low submission rate for crafts, music and performances, these will continue to be included. Only visual arts listings will be actively solicited.
Health & wellness and other general cultural events (which are not specifically visual or performance arts events) will no longer be included. This will include the regular listings for Friends of the Floor. If you are interested in their events, please contact Tanya at scrappywilliams@yahoo.ca to be added to their mailing list.
Responses to questions
There were a few responses asking about other list services that provide similar information, particularly the one from WRAC. The Artifice website links to these lists in the Similar Services sidebar. One of the primary differences between Artifice and the WRAC emails is that Artifice provides as much detail about the event as has been provided, whereas WRAC only provides a date and a link to the event’s website. WRAC’s format allows them to include a more listings, and Artifice is more of a one-stop mailing with fewer listings and complete details. At this point, I’m happy to continue offering Artifice as an alternative to the other lists in this region.
Full Survey Numbers
And for you curious cats, here is a chart of the complete tallies. Note that except for the first question, respondents could vote for more than one option. There were a total of 26 respondents.
| Length of listings - which do you prefer? | Votes | % in favour |
| 1. Include all full listings (current practice, except when the listing is unusually long). | 11 | 42.31% |
| 2. Include a shorter listing with contact information. | 3 | 11.54% |
| 3. Include a shorter listing with contact information and a link to the full listing on the Artifice website. | 12 | 46.15% |
| 4. Other - please provide details | 0 | 0.00% |
| Geographical Scope - which of the following do you want to see? | ||
| (you can choose more than one) | Votes | % in favour |
| 1. Waterloo Region and immediate surrounding areas | 22 | 84.62% |
| 2. Other nearby, under-served areas (if space permits), such as Hamilton. | 15 | 57.69% |
| 3. Province-wide info | 4 | 15.38% |
| 4. National info | 4 | 15.38% |
| 5. Other - please provide details | 1 | 3.85% |
| Listing types - what do you want to continue/start seeing in Artifice? | ||
| (you can choose more than one) | Votes | % in favour |
| 1. Visual Arts | 24 | 92.31% |
| 2. Crafts | 11 | 42.31% |
| 3. Music | 10 | 38.46% |
| 4. Performances | 10 | 38.46% |
| 5. Health & Wellness | 6 | 23.08% |
| 6. General cultural events | 9 | 34.62% |
| 7. Other - please provide details | 0 | 0.00% |