The Minneapolis Institute of Arts / Walker Art Center Integrated Information Access Project August 20, 1997 Project Description The primary goal of the Integrated Arts Information Access Project is to develop a user-friendly interface to a standards-based information framework which will allow remote audiences access to the WAC/MIA permanent collections, archives, and libraries for K-12 educational and non-commercial use via the Internet. Core resources available through this common porthole will include media (images, audio, video, software, etc.) and related information (label copy, curriculum, manuscripts, calendar/programming, external links, publications, etc.). In addition, links between the resources will be provided and new "guides" created, from distance learning curriculum to on-line exhibitions. The scope of this project requires an ongoing commitment from both institutions. During the initial phase of the project, July 1, 1997 - June 30, 1999, the focus will be in the development of a robust information framework, the digitization of primary resources and content development. The underlying information framework will be designed in a way to allow these core resources to be searched for independently (by institution, collection area, time period, user interests, etc.) and/or dynamically assembled into different forms of content (curriculum, multimedia based activities, on-line exhibitions/publications, etc.) depending upon the requirements of the end user. The initial phase of the project will be implemented with careful attention to scalability and replicability. A standardized formatting of the resources will facilitate ongoing resource expansion and content development, which can be driven by anyone from an internal subject matter expert to an external student. Audiences K-12 Teachers - will be able to use this resource for preparatory research, to access existing curriculum, to develop and contribute new curriculum, as a basis for student activities, and as a forum for on-line discussions. K-12 Students - will be able to use this resource for research projects, self-paced learning, access to on-line activities (simulations, quizzes, games, etc.) to create their own exhibitions and as a forum for on-line discussions. General Audience - will be able to use this resource for self-guided learning, home schooling, taking on-line tours, exploring personal interests through thematically structured content, accessing on-line activities discussions, on-line symposia and classes, personal enjoyment, and for linking to related institution-specific calendar/programming information. Scholars - will be able to use this resource for in-depth research, referencing in print and on-line publications, rare archival materials, including video and audio, and as a forum for on-line discussions. Special Interests - will be able to access portions of this resources for hearing and seeing impaired, seniors and special councils and as a forum for on-line discussions. Integrated Resources While both institutions will continue to maintain and develop their own independent Internet sites and information databases, the Integrated Information Access project will serve as a common entry point to both institution's collections and related resources, which can be accessed via either institution's site. This integrated structure provides many advantages to both the end users and the individual institutions. With this structure users will be able to simultaneously search both collections for resources matching their interests and needs. They will be able to access and develop content units which can be derived from both collections. A shared web server housing both institutions' web sites and publicly accessible databases, will be located and managed off-site. All resources would be referenced and linked to their corresponding institution so they would not lose their institutional connection and would carry links to related exhibit, calendar and programming information. The Institutions will also benefit from cooperative development of a database structure and compatible standards. These shared standards would serve as a model for other pan-institutional efforts around the country. Process There are five major components to the process of developing the joint integrated arts information resources. (These components are not strictly chronological--they will overlap in an ongoing, iterative process.) I. Planning/Infrastructure The first component involves the research, identification, and development of robust information standards, data structures and technical infrastructure which will support the overall system. While this component will be the most technically complex, the resulting decisions, procedures and structures will simplify and guide many aspects of the overall project. It will also leverage the usefulness of initial efforts by creating a scaleable model/template for ongoing expansion of the resources. Both institutions will greatly benefit from sharing the investment in this component. An important part of this first phase will be to identify a representative test-bed of information with which to model the process. Estimated time to complete this component is between 3 to 6 months, with ongoing development during the entire 24 months. II. Digitization The second component involves the digital conversion of assets from both institutions' collections, archives, libraries, and programming. Since the institutions' assets vary dramatically in number and media, a great deal of the selection and conversion process will be handled within the individual institutions. Consideration will be given to cost effective ways of sharing hardware, software, and personnel. Because of the scale and nature of this component, this digitizing process will be ongoing and will extend far beyond the initial scope of this project. III. Intellectual Access The third component of this project is the "markup" of the digitized assets so that they can be easily found and used according to multiple criteria. It doesn't do any good to digitize thousands of images or hundreds of hours of video and audio, if the only way to search those assets is by their file names or descriptive tiles. The information standards identified and developed in the initial phase will be implemented in this component. This work will be ongoing as resources are digitized. IV. Adding Value/Creating New Content The fourth component of the project requires the development of original, "added value", educational, and exhibition-related content. This component will begin to demonstrate the tremendous potential of the Joint Integrated Arts Information Access Project by drawing upon the digitized resources to synthesize new content ranging from curriculum units and on-line activities to virtual tours and exhibitions. Products generated within this component of the process will serve to demonstrate the tremendous ongoing and extended potential of the initial capture and processing of "raw" resources, and it is important that a range of model "content" projects is generated during the initial scope of this project. V. Evaluation/Assessment Assessment of the projects design, usability and effectiveness will take place throughout project. In the early stages of the project, experts in the field of information standards, digital imaging and curriculum development will be consulted to assess the project's design. Teachers and a variety of other content experts will be brought into the process to review the collected information, interface(s) and content units. At the conclusion of the initial phase of the project a professional evaluator will be contracted to survey specific user groups and assess the project usefulness and the user's ongoing needs. The results of this assessment process will be published and made publicly available in electronic and/or print form. Budget/Expenditures The institutional investment during the initial stage of the project will be split between personnel and infrastructure. Skilled project teams will be assembled by each institution to manage the design, collection and production of the information resources. Project offices will be constructed and wired. Project specific hardware and software systems will be constructed to support the collection and dissemination of art related resources.