Groundspeak Portal

This thread will be a place for you to discuss the Seattle Art & Seek contest which Groundspeak has created along with the Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. We hope that those of you who can participate in the contest will enjoy it.

Please check the category and the official rules, and then post your questions and comments and I'll try to have an answer for you.

Seattle Art & Seek category

Official Rules

Will the category be visible on the grid come Monday?

Yes, once the category is visible in the directory the icon will appear in the grid. We have talked about what that means here and have not decided how to treat contest categories. One idea is to move it out to its own grid - a contest grid. A big problem with that idea is that we won't be able to move it for a while, so when we do it will shift all subsequent icons one place to the left. I'd appreciate feedback on this from you all.

opinionate:

Yes, once the category is visible in the directory the icon will appear in the grid. We have talked about what that means here and have not decided how to treat contest categories. One idea is to move it out to its own grid - a contest grid. A big problem with that idea is that we won't be able to move it for a while, so when we do it will shift all subsequent icons one place to the left. I'd appreciate feedback on this from you all.

I have no opinion on the grid.

I'm not even sure this should have had its own category. Seems to me this should operate similar to hikenutty's flickr photo contest....

But that's moot.  We are REALLY going to need that waymark copy function....so that the contest waymarks can be filed in their proper categories later.

Or something.

OK, I read the rules.  So my comments don't -really- apply, but I'm going to leave them just to make the point about the copying.

opinionate:

Yes, once the category is visible in the directory the icon will appear in the grid. We have talked about what that means here and have not decided how to treat contest categories. One idea is to move it out to its own grid - a contest grid. A big problem with that idea is that we won't be able to move it for a while, so when we do it will shift all subsequent icons one place to the left. I'd appreciate feedback on this from you all.

 

When was there a vote on this category proposal?  It fails the prevalence and global criteria for sure

On a serious note, Groundspeak has approached and successfully worked with the city council on a merged idea?  If so, that's cool.  I would hope that other areas can enjoy a similar contest concept cause there certainly can be some dynamic ideas brought forward.

BQ

I think this idea ROCKS!!!!  If done correctly (and I'm sure it will be!) this will be promoted in the Seattle area and introduce a whole new population to waymarking. 

I envision this being advertised in the papers and on the citys' various websites.  People who have never heard of waymarking are going to be entering in to a really dynamic project that promotes quality vs quantity.  I expect that Seattle is going to be generating some terrific waymarking talent as a result.

My mind is already whirling as I try to come up with ways to incorporate this sort of program within my own region.

Pahaska_1:

I think this idea ROCKS!!!!  If done correctly (and I'm sure it will be!) this will be promoted in the Seattle area and introduce a whole new population to waymarking. 

I envision this being advertised in the papers and on the citys' various websites.  People who have never heard of waymarking are going to be entering in to a really dynamic project that promotes quality vs quantity.  I expect that Seattle is going to be generating some terrific waymarking talent as a result.

My mind is already whirling as I try to come up with ways to incorporate this sort of program within my own region.

Thanks, Pahaska_1. We're excited as well. The city actually approached us a while back about doing a geocaching promotion related to art and Jeremy suggested this idea instead. The mayor's office of Arts & Cultural Affairs has been great, and is really excited about the partnership. They put out a press release today so hopefully it'll get picked up.

Our hope is that other cities will want to replicate the promotion. Any organization with a list of locations that would like to have accurate coordinates and info/pics could benefit from something like this.

And yes, we're aware that the category breaks the prevalence and global criteria. Tough.

I starting working on these today. I do have a question about some of the indoor art pieces though. Even with a good signal before going into the building, I was totally unable to get reception where the pieces are. Is it OK to post the coordinates of an entrance and then give directions of where to go in the building to find the piece from that entrance?

princess lisa:

I starting working on these today. I do have a question about some of the indoor art pieces though. Even with a good signal before going into the building, I was totally unable to get reception where the pieces are. Is it OK to post the coordinates of an entrance and then give directions of where to go in the building to find the piece from that entrance?

Posting coordinates for the main entrance is perfect; I amended the category description to reflect that. I think that is a good rule of thumb when waymarking anything inside. Looking forward to seeing your waymarks!

opinionate:

Posting coordinates for the main entrance is perfect; I amended the category description to reflect that. I think that is a good rule of thumb when waymarking anything inside. Looking forward to seeing your waymarks!

Thanks for the update! I saw the new  instructions when I submitted mine. I have 7 sumbitted so far with more to go. So you have some to look at now and more to come later. Anyone else on the forum working on this?

What happens of some of the locations have no waymarks submitted? Do they roll over to the next week?

princess lisa:

What happens of some of the locations have no waymarks submitted? Do they roll over to the next week?

...Then Bootron and myself will have to find some waymarks on Sunday. Heh just kidding (sort of). I think we'll maybe add them to the list of the next 50. I haven't decided yet.

opinionate:

Thanks, Pahaska_1. We're excited as well. The city actually approached us a while back about doing a geocaching promotion related to art and Jeremy suggested this idea instead. The mayor's office of Arts & Cultural Affairs has been great, and is really excited about the partnership. They put out a press release today so hopefully it'll get picked up.

Our hope is that other cities will want to replicate the promotion. Any organization with a list of locations that would like to have accurate coordinates and info/pics could benefit from something like this.

And yes, we're aware that the category breaks the prevalence and global criteria. Tough.

I hope my hometown does something like this.  And while we're on the subject of partnering with you guys, the local Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is getting remodeled.   When it's over you should bring the GPS Maze exhibit (that's tied to that other gps game you guys do) down here. Or maybe THEY have something they want waymarked around the city..... There are 325+ Texas Historical Markers in the county.  That doesn't count all the city ones and organizational ones.
www.fwmuseum.org

How would one get involved in doing something like this for their local community or state?

This really sounds awesome and wish we lived a lot closer to Seattle.

I have done several Waymarks of the Art of the Springfield Regional Arts Council in MO.

http://www.springfieldarts.org/

 

I think that this is an interesting idea.  I would also like to see Seattle do something like the geocaching contest that I recently completed: The Canby Chamber of Commerce Geocoin Challenge.  In the next couple weeks I also plan to do The Dalles (Oregon)-Dash Geocoin Contest. 

It's really so easy to replicate. Basically the Mayor's office sent us a spreadsheet with more than 300 artworks, their basic location, and a quick description. I imagine many orgs have a similar spreadsheet kicking around their office. The category itself required no extra development time to setup since everything we needed is already built into the site. Also the official rules could simply be modified with specific info.

I recommend anyone send an email with a link to the category to agencies that might be interested, with a note to contact us (contact at groundspeak dot com). The deal is we'll be happy to provide them with the coordinates at the conclusion of the promotion.

0ccam:

I hope my hometown does something like this.  And while we're on the subject of partnering with you guys, the local Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is getting remodeled.   When it's over you should bring the GPS Maze exhibit (that's tied to that other gps game you guys do) down here. Or maybe THEY have something they want waymarked around the city..... There are 325+ Texas Historical Markers in the county.  That doesn't count all the city ones and organizational ones.
www.fwmuseum.org

That would be great, Occ. We're always looking for new venues for the maze!

Whoops.
Someone missed out on a good domain name:
http://www.artandseek.org/

The local PBS/NPR station down here got it....

I'll see what I can do about bringing this groundspeak stuff to the attention of the locals.

opinionate:

The deal is we'll be happy to provide them with the coordinates at the conclusion of the promotion.

Oh? Are you going to provide a GPX file.......?

0ccam:

Oh? Are you going to provide a GPX file.......?

Snark snark... heh. We'll get there.

That woooood be cool.

I wonder if all those great places of art oveseas catch on.

It could be Global.