TechniCulture Resource Page

On Friday, April 17, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance presented the inaugural TechniCulture at the Chemical Heritage Foundation as part of Philly Tech Week and announced the TechniCulture Innovation Award and prize valued at over $10,000.  

The Innovation Award will invite tech companies and cultural institutions to partner for upcoming projects that address a challenge through an integrated technology solution. The winning project will be announced in the fall, and the final project will be unveiled at the 2016 TechniCulture event.

The goals of TechniCulture were to deepen relationships between the cultural and tech communities; to encourage and inspire cultural organizations to think more innovatively and entrepreneurially; and to celebrate our region's bourgeoning tech resources.  The event was kicked off by Youngmoo Kim (Director, Drexel University ExCite Center; Philadelphia Geek Awards 2012 "Scientist of the Year"; member of Apple Distinguished Educator class of 2013). Youngmoo discussed how artistic and technological innovations are inextricably linked and how STEAM education can fuel joint innovation.

Nine TED-like presentations were moderated by Natalie Nixon (Director, Strategic Design MBA, Philadelphia University), and featured partnerships in two categories: Artistic/Curatorial projects and Business Planning. Please see attached document for a complete list of presentations and speakers.  

The presentations were followed by Q & A and networking.  

TechniCulture Resources:

• TechniCulture Registration List
• TechniCulture Presentations and Speakers
• Like, Link, Share: How Cultural Institutions Are Embracing Digital Technology.  This 2014 study commissioned by the Wyncote Foundation gives examples of legacy cultural institutions in Philadelphia and across the country that are successfully embracing digital media in their work, through artistic creations and programs, audience engagement activities, fund development and operations
• Sarah Lutman's presentation Like, Link, Share: How Cultural Institutions Are Embracing Digital Technology
• Lutman will be sharing findings from her report on Tuesday, May 12 at Drexel University's ExCite Center. Learn more about this free event and register here
• Arts Tech Philadelphia (#ArtsTechPhilly) is a meet-up group connecting innovators in the field of arts, culture and technology.  Their aim is to bring together those working at the intersection of arts and technology to share ideas, strategies, successes, challenges and failures, and to explore how technology can enrich the audience experience
• Follow us on Twitter or sign up for our newsletter CultureWire to learn more about the TechniCulture Innovation Award
• Check out our Storify to read all the social media posts with #TechniCulture
• To see pictures from the event visit our TechniCulture Facebook Album
• Read how arts and cultural organizations in England are using technology in this Digital R&D Fund for the Arts report
• Read about what happens when artists play with big data.

For more information about TechniCulture, to suggest an additional resource to add to this page, or to learn more about other Cultural Alliance programs, please contact Tracy Buchanan at  tracyb@philaculture.org or 215-399-3525.