Cool things are evolving at Fractured Atlas, as they announce version 1.0 of their open source ticketing and patron management software for independent artists and small arts organizations, ATHENA. The initiative is supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and The Kresge Foundation, and informed by a community-driven design process. As one might expect, version 1.0 of the software is just a beginning, with essential tools and services to evolve over the coming months and over coming versions.
The software will eventually be available in two flavors:
- In full source code, for all you server wonks and software geeks that want to install the system on your own servers to take it for a spin (and to begin designing and sharing enhancements through the open source process).
- In a hosted version, where you can essentially plug and play through the cloud, without having to think about the server or the system configuration. This version isn’t up yet, but they’re accepting beta user applications on their brilliantly named web site for the service: artful.ly.
Of course, there are a lot of options for sharing, selling, and tracking your tickets online, and more options by the moment. But ATHENA’s promise is in its open-source approach, and its system-savvy hosts at Fractured Atlas (not just technical systems, but business and support systems). It will be an initiative worth watching. Congrats to the team!
Awesome news! And a friendly reminder to users that “open source” code is still subject to copyright and licenses. So those who choose to use and/or contribute to it should navigate the licenses first, to avoid misunderstandings later.