CATEGORIES

CATEGORIES by media type

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.

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. Keep in mind that this category has the most submissions every year, your project may also fit into one of the functional categories (see below)

Podcasts
Entries include audio, enhanced (with still images), and video podcasts. The podcasts create links between on-line and on-site activities which use the format to augment and extend programs, exhibits, and lectures to a global audience.

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

CATEGORIES by function

Community
Web sites, moderated and hosted by a museum, that offer a virtual space for people to gather around a common experience, exhibit or interest, the way a brix n and mortar museum does.

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

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.

CATEGORY for Students

*NEW* Student Projects
Entries include projects created by students that meet the criteria for any of the listed categories (Audio and Visual Tours, Interactive Kiosks, Interpretive Interactive Installations, Multimedia Installations, Online Presence, Podcasts, Video, Community, Games, PR and Development, and Teaching and Outreach) Student entries can include finished projects created for museums, heritage sites, etc., as well as class projects, prototypes, or concepts.

• Entries must include a letter from faculty (sponsor, mentor, museum) sent to the Muse chair at musechair@mediaandtechnology.org. The letter that you need from a faculty member has to verify that the project you are submitting was created while you are/were a student in university.
• Students can send 3 entries, one per category.
• Universities/Sponsors can send 6 entries.
• Universities/Sponsors may submit projects on behalf of their students, but must secure student permission prior to sending materials. Entry muse include a letter from the student sent to the Muse Chair at musechair@mediaandtechnology.org.
• Student or Sponsor may complete online registration for projects submitted.

Eligibility
Individual students or groups of students are eligible to submit a project to this category if enrolled in an accredited art/humanities/science/museum related degree program, or a recent graduate from undergraduate/Masters/PhD programs. (within the last 12 months). (Recent graduates may only submit projects produced as a student.) Entries may also be submitted by universities or museums if the project is completely produced by students as part of their coursework.

Student Project Winners
Gold winners will receive up to $1,500 towards the cost of travel, lodging, and registration to attend the AAM annual conference to accept their award. Silver and Bronze winners will be compensated with free registration at the AAM Annual meeting and membership for one year to AAM and Media & Technology Standing Professional Committee.

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

CRITERIA

To enter into the MUSE award competition, you must fill out an entry form online. Filling out this form as completely as possible will help the judges evaluate your program properly.

MUSE award categories are based on the primary purpose of the program, regardless of the media in which it is executed. Although your entry might fit into more than one category, select one category that best reflects the reason your Museum created the program.

MUSE award winners demonstrate outstanding achievement in the following areas:

• Content: including the quality of writing, script, narrative, editing and research


• Image: the quality of video and/or still images with special attention to how objects are visualized


• Audio: the quality and innovative application of sound in a multimedia project


• Interface: the quality of the visitor or user's experience with special attention to the ease of use and/or navigation


• Design: the visual appeal of graphic elements and the overall "look and feel"


• Accessibility: the compliance with universal design guidelines


• Innovative use of technology: the extent to which new directions are charted or old challenges are resolved by using technology in a new way.


• Appropriate use of technology: the extent to which the selected technology is effective, given its defined audience, purpose, and context.


• Overall appeal: including the success of connecting with a defined audience, and using narrative elements such as humor, drama, or mystery.

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