FurReal


 * This page is about social group. For other uses, see FurReal (disambiguation).

FurReal, or just FR, also known as FurReal Hub, is a non-profit social and art community.

Mission and content
FurReal's core ideals are multi-fold. As the group started with artists' needs in mind, it is at its center, a community for the creative side of the fandom. However, anyone may join (visual artists, artisans, fursuit makers, musician, writerss, and fans) as long as they follow the (strict) rules of the group. FurReal offers artists of all skills and talents resources, education, critiques, and interaction to help develop their skill sets. FurReal is also extremely friendly to newer artists. Protective of artists' rights, promote artists through their Art Page.

FurReal's primary goal is to help support furry artists and creators. The secondary goal is to give newer, upcoming, artists access to older and/or more experienced artists to help them bloom, grow, and become a bit more world (and business) savvy. FR's tertiary goal is to show the world we are more then what the mass media likes to paint us.

Organization
The administration is organized around a central body of senior admins. This is run similar to a board of trustees. (??) Admin-ship and seniority are determined in part by merit with one's activity, professionalism, helpfulness, and ability to fulfill a specific need within the administration. When the amount of activity increases along with the increase in membership, often new admins are sought, interviewed, and given a 3 month testing period.

Admins are generally given the same amount of authority as any other admin when over-seeing the group. This is due to the world-wide nature, and issues with time zones. There needs to be at least one admin on duty at all times to cover the needs of the community. However, the admins are also self-adjudicating - we police our own as well. Admins may not always be publicly admonished, but issues are taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

The wide variety of opinions, cultural differences, and perspectives within the admin team helps to keep things in perspective.

Audience, impact and growth
On average FurReal sees about 130 new member join requests per week on average. All are screened before accepting to limit trolls, bots, and spam accounts. As of October 31st, 2014 the group has about 5200 members.

Works of art, music, writing, crafting, and more are shared, liked, commented upon, and critiqued within the group on a daily basis. Some select few are promoted to the FurReal Art Page as a way to further promote it to the public. The general rating of the groups is roughly PG-13, however certain types of content are strictly prohibited. This is due to the open nature of the group and the age- range of potential viewers, as well as laws pertaining to adult or mature content.

With Facebook's limitations and increased activity over the months, FurReal as a community, has expanded outside to other social media. FurReal "Hubs" are found on DeviantArt, Youtube, and Twitter.