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It’s not a movement if you just sit still. You have to keep moving backwards or forwards. – Deb Callahan, 'Road Trip Nation.'

In the Spring of 2011, The Metropolitan Art Police organized their first 'Grassroots Artists Conference' in Bethnal Green, London. The Art Police had invited a handful of seasoned writers and artists to help them train key environmental officers. The tools that the Art Police need to attract officers, publicise issues, communicate to sponsors and inspire the public to take action are, in essence, very similar to those we use every day at Prank Sky Media to sell air space for art. To be effective in today’s fast-paced, technology-charged, competitive world, we need to develop strategies, clarify our messages and find useful and affordable methods of advertising. One can’t be effective without the right can's of paint in one's backpack.

The Art Police covered all the invited participants' conference expenses – training, lodging and meals – and simply asked participants to bring their passion and ideas. Those who attended the first conference appreciated the training so much, that the Art Police are now planning to repeat the event each year. Though the Conference is intended to help environmental writers and artists become more effective, those who participate also leave exhilarated and more excited about their own work. The Art Police don’t profess to have all the answers, but they do hope to share, through the invited experts and each other, some of the special tricks they've been lucky enough to learn through the years.

With thanks to Sludge Gulper for sending us several photos of last year's event.

Alan, Prank Sky Media, Hackney, London

The scaffolding has at last come off the infamous London Graffiti Centre in the City of London and Team Robbo seem to be the only crew who have so far signed up, due to the sky high rents.

However there is talk that the 'Percent for Art scheme' might provide the funding for several other London crews who are the personal favourites of Boris Johnson.

Thanks to Alex Walker for calling the shots today.

Alan, Prank Sky Media, Hackney, London

Another strictly limited edition piece from one of our guys who handles the Mayfair beat.

Nice one Quentin UK! (as usual one of our reporters was first in and first out).

Dave, Prank Sky Media, Hackney, London

Some critics believe that London Transport's 'Art on the Underground' initiative has gone too far...

Suburban trains at Epping are now so regularly dogged by 'Cerberan installations' like these (by a well known graffiti-art collective) - that London Underground are considering the conversion of several end of line trains into on-line art galleries - full marks for such sustainable thinking.

Thanks to our reporter Jasmin_F for providing the unofficial photograph.

Dave, Prank Sky Media, Hackney, London

This photo floated in today amidst a whole pile of other rubbish from San Francisco.

The Year of the Dragon kicked off out there with this great little number and we thank our SF reporter for sending us this log of it.

Thanks also to Gunther, Wereon and FunGi.

Dave, Prank Sky Media, Hackney, London