The Geeks-In-Residence programme provides funding for Scottish cultural organizations to collaborate with digital experts on new projects. Residencies pair a "geek" or pair of geeks with a cultural host for £6k of the geeks' time. Projects aim to prototype an innovation and increase the host's digital knowledge. In 2012, five hosts participated including Scottish Opera. The programme seeks to bring creativity and challenge to cultural organizations by having them work with geeks in an open-ended way rather than just as service providers. Cultural organizations can apply by March 15th by providing details about their organization, proposed project champion, reasons for applying, and what makes them an interesting host.

1. Geeks-In-Residence 2013
Application information for cultural hosts

2. The Geeks-In-Residence programme
A funded opportunity for Scottish cultural organisations to work
with talented digital makers on new, progressive projects.
•A geek or pair of geeks is matched with a cultural host
•£6k allocated by Sync to spend on each residency
•Residencies have two main objectives:
1) Making a project that both host & geek come up with together &
2) Increasing host’s knowledge of digital & design processes
•Use of geek time is agreed by the host and the geek(s)
•Some of that geek time is to be spent in host’s office/location
•In 2012, the 5 hosts were Scottish Opera, Macrobert Arts Centre,
Stills, Eigg Box and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

3. Why does it exist?
Most people commission and relate to digital makers as service
providers. Very few work with digital makers in an open-ended
fashion and thereby can miss out on their creative potential.
• Many cultural orgs have digital projects made without any visibility
of the underlying thinking and development processes.
• Few organisations have processes by which to generate interesting,
innovative project ideas.
• Many cultural practitioners find digital stuff intimidating and
inaccessible... Geeks-in-Residence bring a human face to
innovation.
• It works. All five of our 2012 hosts found their experience valuable.

4. What do you get out of it?
Your project prototype could deal with any element of your work -
creative, organisational or audience-focussed. What’s important is
that you come up with the idea through dialogue with your geek.
•£6k of developer/designer time - sourced & matched by Sync.
•A prototype of an innovation-led project that allows you to explore
& test new ways of doing things or a new line of thinking.
•Awareness & understanding of development & design processes.
•Access to new thinking and new networks.
•A dedicated Sync producer support to guide and optimise the
opportunity.

5. What makes an eligible host?
.A cultural organisation or practitioner based in Scotland
.CEO/Director or equivalent prepared to champion the residency
.You understand that collaboration is different to commissioning
.You have time to support the geeks and learn from them
.You can physically host them & give them access to your team
.You are open to having your thinking and practice challenged
.You know the difference between a prototype & a full project
.You recognise that creativity & innovation requires risk
.You are ready to be challenged and think differently

6. What do you have to put in?
This is a collaboration rather than a commission. It’s about working
together, so your relationship with your digital maker/s will be one of
peers rather than as client and service provider
•A senior member of staff to engage with & champion the project.
•Enough time and energy to work with the geek/s to identify a
great project.
•Enough access and support to enable the project to develop and
ensure organisation-wide learning.
•Written content about your experience for publication in Sync Tank,
our online magazine (www.welcometosync.com).
•Attendance at a maximum of two events.

7. Timelines
Feb Mar April May June July to November December
Candidate hosts
apply
Shortlisted
2013 Hosts
orgs
confirmed
interviewed
Geek 2013
recruitment residencies
live confirmed
Residencies take place during this period
Completed
by Dec 10th

8. How to apply
If you would like to be considered as a 2013 cultural host please
re-read this information pack and send Rohan the following info to
rohan@welcometosync.com by March 15th at the latest
1.Which organisation is applying?
2.Who would champion the residency and what is their role?
3.Why do you want to host a Geek-in-Residence?
4.What will make you an interesting host to work with?
Please limit your answers to Q3 and Q4 to 200 words.

9. Sync is a two-year programme for the
cultural sector in Scotland – helping cultural
organisations develop more interesting and
progressive relationships with technology and
technologists.
Sync consists of the landmark Culture Hack
Scotland event, this Geeks-in-Residence
programme, SyncTank the future-facing online
magazine and the Sync Sessions events.
Sync is supported by Creative Scotland.
Find out more at www.welcometosync.com.