Engaging Beyond Our Walls Grants for Libraries

 Deadline: August 15, 2022 (March 3, 2023 update)

American University's Game Center and the DC Public Library have received an IMLS grant to offer libraries tools, training, and templates to create neighborhood games. The Engaging Beyond Our Walls project provides:

• basic training in game design and storytelling for communities, plus $300 for supplies and $150  for training;
• turn-key game templates to tell local stories in just 30 minutes;
• free authoring tools that are easy enough for non-technical users to create games and stories;
• workshops and experiences for patrons, led by the pioneering Game Center of American University.

25+ libraries will receive support and funding to become hubs for creating outdoor games and interactive stories — using local history, community voices, and neighborhood landmarks to address the growing need to engage beyond library walls, including with digital media. Grant projects can focus on topics such as creating escape rooms with local history and public art, outdoor “story walks,” public history projects with digital media, local history-focused scavenger hunts, or audio tours that feature resident voices and archival photos sent by text message. 

There is no prior technical knowledge or expertise to apply or participate. Hive Mechanic is the tool that will be used, which does not require any programming experience. Anyone can create outdoor and immersive experiences for ordinary phones — no coding or programming skill is required. The approach is based on successful installations with the DC Public Library (DCPL), the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, and neighborhood cultural centers.

For more information, and to apply, visit the website: https://www.hivemechanic.org/workshops-for-libraries.