Open Call for Open GLAM Case Studies

Building on the success of the Creative Commons Open GLAM Platform’s  short stories on Open GLAM in the Global South or underrepresented communities, Creative Commons is launching an open call for case studies of open GLAM from low-capacity, non-Western institutions or representing marginalized, underrepresented communities from various regions. These case studies will help create a more global, inclusive, and equitable picture and understanding of open GLAM, highlighting the needs and expectations of a variety of communities and institutions from diverse regions and backgrounds. “GLAM” stands for Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums and refers to cultural heritage institutions.

A total of 8 case study projects will be selected by an Evaluation Committee and will receive funding of $1000 USD each upon submission of their final case study. 

See an example of an in-depth Case Study.

Deadline for applications: 1 November 2021. 

Background

This open call for Open GLAM Case Studies is part of the Creative Commons Open GLAM Program, funded by Arcadia, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, which aims to provide guidance and support to GLAMs on matters ranging from copyright law and open licensing to the implementation of open access policies, while also creating the flexibility needed to respond to current and emergent needs and engaging in progressive opportunities to ensure equitable access to cultural heritage. 

Much of CC’s GLAM work has been based in environments with relatively significant resources to digitize assets, adopt open access policies, and widely share collections. We know there are institutions and practitioners in underrepresented communities participating in open GLAM, documenting intangible heritage and releasing public domain content, and that there are many who are interested in but face unaddressed barriers to approaching open GLAM work. Greater representation of such communities and institutions is essential to building an equitable global GLAM community, along with comprehensive tools and policies. 

Openness should be for everyone to practice, regardless of resources or location. Barriers and restrictions only hinder the end result of accessible and remixable shared cultural heritage. Furthermore, smaller and non-Western institutions have unique needs and perspectives that must be included in global conversations about open GLAM. We are continually working to make CC’s community engagement more inclusive, and CC’s Global Network and CC Open GLAM Platform, as well as the Open GLAM Initiative are key to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in the global open GLAM movement. 

This open call is an opportunity to continue highlighting the contributions to open GLAM from the following underrepresented communities and institutions: 

  • Global South countries (see here)
  • Ethnic and racial minorities
  • Indigenous people and communities
  • LGBTQ++ diversities
  • People with disabilities
  • Low-resourced, low-capacity institutions
  • Non-Western institutions 

Eligibility

This call is open to any member of the CC Open GLAM Platform. To become a member, please fill out this short form and sign up to our mailing list. 

Submissions can be made by an individual or a group of individuals. 

Creative Commons strongly encourages members of the Global South or underrepresented communities to take part in this open call. 

Members of the Evaluation Committee are welcome to make a submission to the open call. Those submissions will be reviewed in such a way as to avoid a conflict of interest. 

Selection Criteria

The Evaluation Committee will consider all submissions based on the following criteria: 

  • Overall quality and clarity of the proposal
  • Alignment of the case study with the CC Open GLAM Program.
  • Key objectives and proposed outcomes of the case study
  • Partnerships and involvement of other stakeholders
  • Geographic diversity
  • Agreement with the eligibility criteria 

Expected Deliverable  

Case studies are to be submitted in English, as a Google document or Word document (or any compatible format, as in advance agreed with CC staff), using the provided template. 

The word count for the case study must be between 1500 and 2000 words. 

Use of openly licensed images to illustrate the case study is highly encouraged.

These case studies will be edited by Creative Commons staff and published under a Creative Commons license (Name of author/CC BY) on the Creative Commons Medium publication. 

Funds available 

Each successful recipient or group of recipients will receive $1000 USD upon submission to Creative Commons of a final, publishable draft of the case study along with a corresponding invoice, by December 31, 2021. 

Timeline 

Release of the Open Call – 5 October 2021

Deadline for submissions –  1 November 2021 

Announcement to the recipients –  8 November 2021

Deadline to submit case studies – 31 December 2021

Evaluation Committee

All submissions will be reviewed by members of the committee: 

  • Susanna Ånäs, Project Director, Open Knowledge Finland; GLAM Coordinator, Wikimedia Finland; GNC Representative, Creative Commons Finland 
  • Giovanna Fontenelle, Program Officer, GLAM and Culture, Wikimedia Foundation
  • Medhavi Gandhi, Founder, The Heritage Lab
  • Brigitte Vézina, Director of Policy, Open Culture and GLAM, Creative Commons
  • Camille Françoise, GLAM Manager, Creative Commons

Submit your application

Applicants must submit their proposal using this form before 1 November 2021. 

Engage with us

If you have any questions related to this Open Call, please contact Camille Françoise, GLAM Manager, Creative Commons at camille@creativecommons.org.