Getting started with collection data
How can KMSKA's collection data be better found and used? That question was on the table during Intrapreneurship Sandbox Flanders, an innovation project of the Flemish government. For five days, participants tackled the challenge: how can students and teachers be encouraged to work with the digital collection?
KMSKA's collection contains a huge amount of open data. High-resolution images, metadata and IIIF manifests are publicly available through the website, an Open API and external platforms. Yet many users find it difficult to access these resources. However, the collection offers valuable opportunities for education, research and creative reuse.
From a problem to a prototype
From more than 40 submissions, KMSKA's project proposal was selected for participation in Sandbox Flanders. In the design sprint, a first solution was worked on together with external experts. During the week, a prototype was developed: the KMSKA factory. Via a dynamic search bar, users can compile sub-collections based on keywords or themes. The tool then helps to create something with those images themselves, such as a quiz, a story or a game.
For KMSKA, Chantal Lefeber (ICT), Manou De Sutter (collection information) and Joy Eyeson (public operation) participated. The workshop was supervised by Sandbox Flanders. External experts shared their knowledge from, among others, Meemoo, Microsoft, Het Facilitair Bedrijf, FARO, Digitaal Vlaanderen, KULeuven, Design Museum Gent and Technisch Atheneum Brasschaat.
Next step in September
A pitchtraining will follow after the summer. On 22 September, the prototype will be presented to an independent jury in Brussels, together with the four other selected projects. The winner will receive an initial budget of €30,000 to further develop the tool into a Proof-of-Concept or Minimal Viable Product.
