----------------------------Original message----------------------------
(with apologies for any cross-posting)


* ITEM (Image Technology in Museums and art galleries)  knowledge base
* The International Visual Arts Information Network Trust

At the beginning of this year IVAIN wrote to all ITEM subscribers to
the effect that for the previous 12 months IVAIN (the "not-for-profit"
International Visual Arts Information Network) had been planning to
further develop the well established on-line ITEM knowledge base.
Discussions with a leading not-for-profit initiative in the USA led to
the prospect of an exciting partnership.
that was planned to be completed by the early autumn of 1999.  This
would have effected the changeover from the ITEM server at Suffolk
College in good time before our partnership with Suffolk College
(since 1990) came to an end in December 1999.

Unfortunately our USA partner was unable to complete the work in the
originally planned timescale and it subsequently became clear that,
due to circumstances beyond the control of both parties it was not
going to be possible to achieve the original plans.

At this point IVAIN announced suspension of web access to ITEM while
it sought a new technical partnership and ceased to accept renewals or
new subscriptions to ITEM.

IVAIN was much encouraged by the widely expressed support and goodwill
and this led us to explore three subsequent expressions of interest
from Higher Education bodies in the UK.  Unfortunately the cost of the
technical transfer and planned development considerably exceeded the
levels of return the publication offers.  The situation has been
further undermined by the low level of new CD-ROM publications in our
field over the past 18 months, together with the very slow emergence
of relevant DVD publications.
In the circumstances, it is with great regret that IVAIN now has to
announce the permanent cessation of publication of ITEM and the
winding up of the IVAIN Trust.
IVAIN would like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to
the many organisations and individuals whose encouragement and
practical help enabled the original compilation and subsequent
development of ITEM.


Jeremy Rees
Director and Secretary

******************************************
Jeremy Rees
Director, International Visual Arts Information Network Trust
24 Lots Road, London SW10 0QF
telephone 020 7376 8759 (international +44 20 7376 8759)
fax  020 7376 8798 (international +44 20 7376 8798)
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