We’re supposed to stop collecting submissions for this year’s Philly Tech Week Artist Microgrants today and begin the ever-so tough process of deciding which ideas deserve some of the $1,500 we’ve set aside to help fund cool projects combining art and technology.

Those projects are going to get some spotlight at our annual Signature Event on Friday, May 5 (which also happens to be both Cinco de Mayo and First Friday, so yeah).

But here’s the thing: We got to talking about the judging criteria for some of the amazing submissions we’ve received already and ultimately decided that we could not possibly expect winners without a few extra sets of seasoned eyes.

And boy, did we get some seasoned eyes.

Here’s who we got to agree to help judge your submissions:

• Philly Mural Arts: The nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change.
• The Village of Arts & Humanities: An arts organization in North Philadelphia. The Village was founded by Lily Yeh, an artist and Chinese immigrant who was a tenured professor at the Philadelphia School of Fine Arts. The organization has renovated dozens of urban lots and empty buildings with murals, mosaics, and gardens.
• The Institute of Contemporary Art: The Institute believes in the power of art and artists to inform and inspire. The ICA is free for all to engage and connect with the art of our time.
• The Philadelphia Museum of Art: The cultural heart of a great city. A place for creative play, with a surprise around every corner.

Here’s the new judging criteria:

On a scale from 1-10, rate the following: 1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest:

1. Does this project represent the intersection where Art meets Technology in a clear and understandable way?
2. Does this project have an interactive element in which the public can be a part or will be attracted to understand or learn more about it?
3. Is this project in some way relating to the themes of Philly Tech Week, in which technology and innovation in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection are at the forefront?
4. Could this work be repurposed outside of Philly Tech Week and still make sense?
5. Does the artist statement feel relevant to the times and not outdated in terms of technology, materials and purpose?

But wait, there’s more! The Museum of Art wants the grant winner(s) to display their works there on the evening of May 26 during one of the beloved institution’s Friday night event series, Technologic. 

So, now that we’ve sweetened the pot and expanded the judgement criteria, why don’t you stop procrastinating and apply?

Apply now

Tell us as much as possible about your idea and the funds you would need to turn it into reality. We have a total pool of $1,500 and are hoping to give out more than one grant, so grant sizes range between $50 and $500.

Applications are due by Friday, March 17 before midnight. We’ll contact the winners by March 20 and make the announcement right here on this website shortly thereafter. Good luck!