web critique #9- chicagoartdepartment.org, proarts.org, messhall.org

http://www.chicagoartdepartment.org/
at first viewing i found the design to be a bit dull for an art related website but i have defiantly seen worse. also when first viewing i was unsure to what the site was about and what it was offering. i read the mission statement and saw that it emphasized on contemporary art. i thought that could be more apparent in the somewhat boring title of the organization. titles aside i think what they are doing in chicago is creatively great. the polaroid program looked like a lot of fun. i like their programs that introduce different art forms that i think are relevant too current cultures and sub-cultures such as the live visuals project and the dj/scratching project. i think the youth can relate to these projects because they may be relevant to interests and lifestyles.

http://www.prosarts.org/index.html
i noticed right away is the lack of color and creativity, which again, is strange for being an art-related website. i found the information on the main page very useful and direct (minus a few grammar/punctuation errors). i love their commitment to a particular neighborhood and that their programs/projects are influenced by the people/children that live there. i like how they concentrate on both school related programs as well as programs in the community. it's great to see that there are so many activities going on on their calendar and it is up to date. and i like their strong emphasis on performances. "Performing since 1979, the Pros Arts Ensemble presents its shows in English, Spanish, Italian, and Clown". -- i am curious to know more about this clown aspect :) looks interesting from the few photos they do have on their site. when you click on the showcase link the font and layout is a but different on that page and possibly how all the other pages should look. it's a little cleaner and stylistically up to date.

www.messhall.org
i have heard messhall mentioned a few times since i have been in chicago but have never been quite sure what it was all about. i thought maybe it was a gallery, a collective of local artists, or non-profit organization. i am still a bit unclear what messhall is all about. when visiting the main page i wanted to see a mission statement, background, or some other information right away. there was nothing there. took me a moment to find a link that would help explain this site and "organization". under frequently asked questions it provides me with a brief description of messhall's purpose. here it tells me it is a cultural center. i wish that was evident on the main page. then another link leads you to another description of messhall written by dan s. wang. i found his writing and information may be difficult for an "average" art enthusiast to grasp and gain meaning from. it is if he's writing to a more "educated" audience but since it is a website i feel it should cater to the massive, but interesting non the less. i found other links kind of scattered through out the main page and a little difficult to navigate due to it's lack of categorizing. a the bottom of the page are an abundant of links. i feel these links could be placed on another page rather than the main page. the archive still needs some updating. i would like to see what sorts or projects, exhibits and events they have had. i think i may need to visit the space and people for myself to get a better grasp on what they are all about.