Note: Please read the Deadlines and Procedures information also before completing the online entry form.

As always, we are looking for excellence in:

• interpreting an exhibit or a theme
• making object or image databases interesting and accessible
• connecting people and collections

For the 2007 MUSE awards, we invited participants to assign their own entry category in the online application form. From those categories, the 2007 MUSE committee defined new broader categories from which to judge. This process captured projects that defied the old standards or combined technologies in new and innovative ways.

This year we will build on that set of categories, defined by the museum media community, that reflect the true scope of current museum media projects.  Use the pulldown menu in the online application form to choose the category that best fits your project.

Audio and Visual Tours
Entries include tours of specific locations that range from in-gallery handheld audio tours, PDA tours, and podcasts tours to cell phone tours.

Extended Experience
Entries encompass programs that involve an onsite activity, which extends to an activity offsite. The offsite component may involve an activity such as an online experience or CD-ROM/DVD based activity.

Games
Entries are interactive activities that are educational and entertaining, and may involve competition or role playing.

Interactive Kiosks
Entries are a single interactive kiosk.

Interpretive Interactive Installations
Entries are made up of multiple kiosks or a full gallery installation and are interactive and educational.

Multimedia Installations
Entries include immersive installations, which include video walls or installations of multimedia that do not require interactivity.

Online Presence
Entries include Web sites, online collections, online image databases, and online exhibitions. Entries should present and interpret museum collections and themes, and provide a rich and meaningful virtual experience. Projects should demonstrate effective use of multiple media formats, innovative ways of complementing physical exhibitions or providing surrogates for physical experiences in online only exhibitions.

PR and Development
Entries include press, marketing, and donor development pieces. Could include email newsletters, viral marketing campaigns, fundraising videos, etc.

Teaching and Outreach
Entries are projects that are developed as outreach to teachers, classrooms, or the community or are developed as pedagogical training tools. The educational component is key.

Video
Entries are videos only, with no audience participation. This includes animations, and linear and nonlinear narratives.

Submissions may be suited to more than one category, please choose the category which best fits. For examples of past winners please see: http://www.mediaandtechnology.org/muse/index.html

MUSE AWARDS JUDGING CRITERIA

MUSE award winners demonstrate outstanding achievement in the following areas:

1. Success in meeting the stated educational goals
2. Visual design
3. Production quality
4. Functionality
5. Appropriate use of technology
6. Overall appeal