ATS Heritage, one of the UK's leading suppliers of audio guides, video guides and interactive tours to the museum and heritage industry, are launching a Free App competition for museums and heritage organisations in the UK. Institutions based in the UK have until 31 May to enter.

Everyone has doubtless noticed the proliferation of smart phones these days -- and museum visitors are no different. Museums and heritage organisations have stepped in and started offering creative, educational and inspiring content on mobile devices for a few years now. However, it does cost money.

So, ATS Heritage's competition will no doubt be popular.

What can be won?

ATS will work with the client to produce an interface for the app, provide free consultancy on the script, provide a voiceover and advise and support with music and sound effects to produce great audio visual content, all at no cost. The app can be designed for use inside the museum or outdoors with opportunities to make the content map driven -- and even incorporate GPS!

How do you enter?

1. Register – Simply email appcomp@ats-heritage.co.uk by 31^st of May 2011 to let ATS know the name, position, and the museum or heritage site, along with contact details. They will email back an entry form and get further details.

2. Send in your App idea – ATS will ask you to complete the entry form and let them know what it would be used for, how the visitors or site would benefit from it, and the type of content that it will provide. Remember that it can be for an inside or outside site, use images, video, quizzes, or any other feasible idea you come up with! They will publish the names of the top five selected on 18th July 2011 and will contact the successful short list to arrange to meet and interview the final winner. The winner will be announced on the 1^st of August 2011.

3. Produce the App – This is the fun bit. You will get lots of ATS Heritage assistance to develop your idea, make recordings or get them recorded in their studios, edit your images, and customise the interface with the aim of completing and publishing the App in September.

Good luck!

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For the past fifteen years we’ve been focused exclusively on researching and publishing market intelligence information for suppliers in the museums and heritage sector, including the tenders and RFPs that you need to grow your business. From major national institutions like the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Louvre, Prussian State Museums and the Smithsonian, to local authorities and city and state governments, English Heritage, the National Park Service, Historic Environment Scotland and Parks Canada.

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