Abstract:

The Art Materials Information and Education Network (AMIEN), at www.amien.org, had its genesis with the publication in 2006 of The Painter's Handbook, a materials information reference for artists. A website was built based on the cover of the book, which had all the chapter titles. Its purpose was to provide,in free discussion forums based on the chapter titles, answers to questions about art materials. The author became the Moderator.

Later in 2006, www.AMIEN.org was founded by the Executive Director of an art conservation laboratory and the author, a new site was built to reflect the design of the laboratory's own site, and by December 2006 all the content from The Painter's Handbook site was transferred. Since then, AMIEN has become integrated into the Education Department of the laboratory, and it and its programs have become a part of the educational mandate of the laboratory association. Today, the AMIEN website has 15,000 - 20,000 unique readers per month and receives between 5 - 20 questions per day. The author is the site Administrator and principal Moderator, and there are two other active Moderators that make significant contributions.

Keywords:

AMIEN, art materials, education, online resource.