Finding the app in you

At Pickled Productions I have one of the best jobs in the world working as a Curatorial Director in the arts. Recently, I have been kept busy and excited about the implementation of a range of collaborations for a new commercial digital service and related network for professionals in the arts and media. Both the service and the network will provide much needed information and opportunities for those who want to utilize digital technology to build upon participation of the general public in their Art provisions. Thus, we were pleased to hear about the much needed digital service Culture 24 is designing to unite the digital mapping of museums and galleries.

Margaret Hodge, Minister for Culture, announced at the beginning of the month a £50k grant to Culture24, to fund a fantastic new application for smartphones which will make it simple for people to find their nearest gallery, museum or art collection. The final application (app) will allow users to easily identify any nearby museums, galleries, heritage attractions or other interesting venues. The data will be drawn from the Culture24 database that covers the whole of the UK and contains details on over 4,400 cultural venues and the app will be based on the Culture24 website.

The idea originated from an event and was swiftly funded. Margaret Hodge stated: ‘It’s a fantastic idea that came directly out of the Digital Engagement event I hosted in early March at Tate Modern, and is a perfect example of how quickly a great idea can be turned into reality when institutions work outside their silos.’

The past month has also witnessed Twitter coming out of its ‘silos’ to buy the iPhone Tweetie application. The owner of Tweetie, Brichter was clearly open to a deal and as part of the agreement is joining the Twitter mobile team and Tweetie will be renamed Twitter for iPhone. The app is currently priced $2.99, a month and Twitter said that Brichter (whose work won the 2009 Apple Design Award) will work on developing Twitter for iPad amongst other things.

Clearly by purchasing this app Twitter is ensuring its app remains dominant in the market, they have stated ‘As we work to provide the best possible Twitter experience on all of the major mobile platforms, momentum will increase dramatically. Millions more active, engaged, mobile users which means more opportunities for all of us.’

The aforementioned statement has already been proven true, with the Guardian Newspaper using their Tweetie app for account @anywhere to innovatively connect readers with those running for public office. They have said: ‘Now, from within our pages you can ask questions of your prospective parliamentary candidates and of our journalists. This is a clear indication of how we're trying to lower barriers between our audience and those who hold power or seek to hold office, and between our readers and our journalists.’

The popularity of phone apps like Tweetie is due to the fact that they combine useful digital technology with interesting content and experiences for the user and nearly every media publication in Europe now has one.

It has also led to more partnerships in the creative industry to facilitate developing these new participatory services and this is most often demonstrated by arts organisations and media houses; known for their innovation and ability to join forces to ensure sustained digital development within their organisation. Last week saw Wallpaper magazine announce their new iPhone app in association with Swarovski, which gives you full access to their wide array of articles, photos and videos.

Increasing your digital participation also paves the way for sponsorship gained from corporate firms, funding from the national government, promoters of ‘creative cities’ and development agencies alike who have offered a plethora of interventions designed to stimulate growth through organizing and managing creative and cultural work (see ‘Creative Britain’ for example). Such a process has rested on the frictionless and mutually beneficial relationship between capital and labor, and culture and economics; where distinctive forms of artistic and cultural production and economic and governmental priorities have to co-prosper in harmonious union.

If you would like further information regarding ways to develop the use of emerging technologies to engage with wider audiences, DCMS has published ‘Encouraging Digital Access to Culture’, intended as best practice advice for the sector to assist the paving of the way for digital participation.

If you’re interested in being one of my Fabulously Arty Digital Associates paving the way, then please email me and let me know:
• a little bit about yourself,
• why you’d like to work with us
• your favorite digital technique
• What type of projects you are currently working on
• Include a link to your website/ blog where I can see examples of your gorgeous creations

Closing Date – none set at present –If you’re reading this at a later date and want to contact me, please do via www.pickledproductions.co.uk.