Platforma is a site for the arts by and about refugees.

Whether refugee issues are your main subjects as an artist / organisation or one that you have only touched on, you are welcome to create a profile and make use of the site.

Getting started

Go to www.platforma.org.uk and click ‘Join’ in the top right-hand corner of any page. Follow the instructions to register. Once you have registered you will get an email telling you how to log-in for the first time. You will now be able to change your password and upload a photo – please do use a photo or image of some kind as it makes it much easier for other people to connect with you. (If you forget to add a photo when you first register, you can do so later on by logging in and selecting 'Account settings' from the drop-down menu at the very top of the page)

Your Platforma page

Platforma is a social networking site and there are several ways to connect with other members. As you add more content, links and information site users will be able to see more about you. This is your showcase – so make the most of it! The artists and organisation profiles are quite similar – the main difference is that artists can ‘join’ organisations on the site. (Also, at present, organisations cannot create events – but that will soon change)

Adding content

Once you are logged in, look for the grey strip at the very top of every page – the dropdown menus will allow you to add artworks and create events. You can also manage your profile settings and mailbox (or, for organisations, members) via the links on the top right of the page.

Uploading artworks

Use the dropdown menu in the top grey bar to upload artworks (images, video or text) – simply follow the instructions. Copyright holders retain all copyright in any artworks uploaded (we will never use them in any other form without express permission)

Creating an event

Choose ‘Event’ from the drop-down menu that appears at the top of the page when you are logged in, and then click on the yellow arrow next to ‘Event’. This will take you to the Create Event form. Complete the various fields (to select more than one art form, hold down shift and select from the list). You cannot select more than one region. Click on ‘Preview’ to check your new event page before publishing. Correct as required. And then click ‘Save’ to publish as a page.

Editing or deleting an event or artwork

Go to the single event or artwork page. Click on the grey text ‘edit node’ that appears either above or below the title on any page that you have created. Edit as necessary and then save. Please note: there is no need to delete an event when it is over. It will automatically be archived.

Social functions

Users can interact on the Platforma website by ‘following’ others or ‘joining’ organisations. You can also send people a message via the site. And you can add your Twitter feed and Facebook feed - enter the url of your profile pages in the social feeds section.  

You can also find and interact with Platforma at http://www.facebook.com/PlatformaArts and on Twitter @PlatformaArts Need more help? Contact us on hello@platforma.org.uk