Local institutions compete for iPhone app freebie

There’s plenty of iPhone applications being developed by Philadelphians, we wrote last month.
And last July, we thought of a few iPhone applications that should exist but don’t.
Now, add these to the list: a handful of Philly nonprofit arts and cultural organizations are vying for the opportunity to have a custom app developed for their institution.
Phila Open Studio Tours, the Chamber Orchestra of Phladelphia, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, InLiquid, Penn Museum and more are competing in the icihere.com Mobile App Contest.
Anyone can vote for their favorite institution. The winner will receive a standalone app that includes location-based features, video, branding and technical support.

Currently, the Mann Center and the Penn Museum are leading the Allentown Art Museum by a few hundred votes, and others in the Mid-Atlantic by a few thousand.
Ici helps nonprofits provide mobile content to users, through mobile applications or online. In February, it worked with Philagrafika to create an application for the 2010 print-making event.