What's Next for Mobile Muse? MUSE 3!

As we come to the end of MUSE 2 and prepare to enter MUSE 3 (fingers crossed on funding :-), it's time to start discussing what's next! MUSE 3 is really a further expansion of all that has been developed and learned thus far. MUSE 3 is honing its vision and is creating a broader "open distributed network" focusing on four main themes:

• Cultural Expression
• Community Development
• Economic Development
• Sustainability

Several of these themes will be realized in what MUSE 3 is calling "community-generated media". Much like the term "user-generated content", community-generated media represents the creativity, vision and voice of the community. Beyond creating (or broadcasting) this media, MUSE 3 is especially interested in how this media can be driven, accessed, created, and most importantly, interacted with in mobile environments. However, MUSE 3 is not limiting itself simply to the third screen, i.e. mobile phones. MUSE 3 will be pushing screen boundaries on both ends – large and small! A big part of MUSE 3 is leveraging a network of large screens that will be installed for the 2010 Olympics – a distibution network comprised of "Live Sites". Live Sites are open event spaces, typically with large video displays, designed for broad public engagement.

German Live Sites were a dominant success of the 2006 World Cup, and the BBC’s "Big Screens" Project aims for London 2012. BC’s Olympic/Paralympic Live Sites (OPLS) will broaden 2010 participation together with other Live Sites across Canada. The 2010 Opening, Closing and Awards Ceremonies will be additional Live Sites.

MUSE 3 has identified a critical need and opportunity to continue these public conversations beyond the 2010 activities. In so doing, communities can build strong identities, engage with others in their communities, and spread communities' ideas, creativity and voices using the Live Sites network. Communities can also concretely improve their long-term return on investment (ROI). In other words, there is both a financial and social return on these Live Sites investments. To assist communities in understanding and realizing these opportunities, MUSE 3 is, therefore, focusing on creating sustainable models – financial, technological and curatorial – that leverage this network of large public displays for distribution of community-generated and cultural content.

It's quite an exciting opportunity and we'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!