Cultural institutions, museums and galleries are facing challenging times. Whilst opportunities to experiment with new technologies and interactivity are increasing, growing collections and reductions in funding are putting constraints on their capacity to innovate.
The ‘Digital Innovation Contest – Culture’ run by IC tomorrow, in conjunction with a selection of cultural sector organisations, is procuring up to 10 trials – offering a maximum award of £24,000 for each successful innovative commercial prototype from the following three themes: commercialization of digital assets, mobile and location based access and connectivity and conversations.
IC tomorrow is working with museums and galleries to find ways in which those cultural organisations can benefit from commercialisation of their digital assets, to help generate much needed additional revenues. Their challenge patrons are the British Museum, The New Art Gallery Walsall, National Museums of Scotland, SPACE, The Public, The Design Museum, Birmingham Museums and Art Galleries and the International Slavery Museum/ National Museums Liverpool; who have helped IC tomorrow selecting the prototypes which will be supported.
Virtualware prototype has been selected finalist in The Public challenge with an mobile application to encourage engagement with exhibitions. The contest final will be happening at the Design Museum on the 16th May, a great opportunity to support fellow digital innovators and meet valuable cultural professionals.