Microgrants/Applications

Grants Project grants (£5–250) or Partnership Funding (£250 and upwards) Scholarships Evaluation Panel

Please submit your application at the bottom of this page, using the format shown by the example.

Example

Overview

A description of what you want the microgrant for should go here.

Budget

How much money are you asking for, and what do you want to spend it on?

Expected outcomes

What will this microgrant let you do? What will be the measurable outcomes?

Who I am

If this is your first microgrant, then please let us know a little about you - where you're based (roughly), which projects you are involved in and any experience you have that is related to this microgrant activity.

Discussion

Persian miniature painting book

Overview

Really arising from the British Library Editathon earlier this month, this was one of the books I got out at the BL, but only had the time to skim it briefly. The full title is: Titley, Norah M. Persian Miniature Painting, and Its Influence on the Art of Turkey and India: the British Library collections, 1983, University of Texas Press, ISBN 0292764847 (272 double col. pages; British Library Pubs in UK), and it is arguably still the standard work on the whole subject. I would not be buying the book if I were not going to use it on WP, and will in time be able to add & expand a large number of articles from it.

Budget

£12.64 via Amazon, a remarkably cheap price. The next cheapest 2nd hand copy on Amazon is £34.40, and the cheapest on Abebooks £19.31 (all prices include p&p). The postage is only £2.80 on mine & possibly the American seller may come back & ask for more for that; I have had the order accepted though. That must be below actual cost for a heavy book coming from the US (by pallet, to be posted only in the UK I expect). The £12.64 is about the travel cost of 1.5 trips to Central London to me, where the nearest library copies are (reference copies only, like the BL).

Expected outcomes

Islamic painting, which is mainly in miniatures in manuscripts, covering over 600 years, is a really weak area in WP, & of course British collections are very strong in it. I did Khamsa_of_Nizami_British_Library, Or. 12208 at the editathon and after, then moved on to Persian_miniature_painting, which I have expanded greatly. But although I have two short books on that specific subject, plus Grove online etc, I have found I need more to really move the area on. With Titley's very comprehensive book as the main source, I would be able over time to greatly improve that one, perhaps to FA standard, and add many articles on the most important manuscripts and artists of Persian, and also Mughal and Ottoman, miniatures, which have their own main articles that are still very weak. Category:Islamic_illuminated_manuscripts would be hugely improved. I can easily see 20-30 mostly new articles eventually, though that will take a good while. If any other editors were interested I could lend the book via the London meetups.

Who I am

Some of you know me; art history is my main subject, & I have 7 FAs (mostly in collaboration), & 157 DYKs etc. Also 80K+ edits, & I presented a talk at the British Museum conference last year. Johnbod 11:49, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Discussion

• Looks good to me - happy to approve this if Tom's also happy with it. Have you already purchased the book, or do you want us to purchase it for you? Thanks. Mike Peel 12:33, 29 January 2011 (UTC)
• Approved. Please let me know how you want the money sent (bank transfer or post) and give me the details by email (treasurer _*AT*_ wikimedia.org.uk). Please keep in mind that the book will belong to us so, when you are finished with it (I understand that may take a few years!) please give it to us so we can more easily make it available to other Wikimedians. Thanks! --Tango 20:44, 3 February 2011 (UTC)

Thanks! I've ordered it & paid by card. I'll be at the Board interest meeting (if that is confirmed) if that is an easy way, otherwise post or transfer. You have my address I think (chapter member), but not my bank a/c. Johnbod 21:12, 3 February 2011 (UTC)

Ok, I'll bring a cheque book with me to the meeting. --Tango 21:49, 3 February 2011 (UTC)

Fantastic. :) The board interest meeting is confirmed - look forward to seeing you there. Mike Peel 22:31, 3 February 2011 (UTC)

Smart Phone

Overview

In the last three days Derby Museums have "taken a punt" in supporting Wikimedia further. There was discussion concerning "wouldn't it be great" if museums used Wikipedia to make their labels. Some said "they'll never allow it" others said "the small museums use our stuff but don't attribute it"... one said "Why don't they use QRCodes?.....we can never find a museum to try it" (not exact quotes of what was said) Using the collaboration of a number of people (including wikimedians) we created some QR Codes and Derby Museums offered to demo it. Even though we did not have a phone to check them we have mounted these codes in part of the museum yesterday. The phone that is being requested is not for making calls. It is intended to be a phone we offer to the museum so that their staff can show (and see for themselves) how this technology works. Its not a reward (although they deserve it). Making the phone a lend is fine. I would like to leave it to our judgement, but maybe we could assure you that it is anticipated that it would be back in our hands in three months (maybe a lot less and only more after checking back with you).

Budget

Somewhere between 80 and 100 pounds (max).

Expected outcomes

That the experiment at Derby Museums with QR Codes is well supported by curatorial staff. That it is likely that wikimedia collaboration with Derby gets further coverage (one blog already about the techno aspect). It may be that wikipedians will feel inspired to write new articles just so that they can click on the QR code. Raises the profile of GLAM DERBY to not being a "regional" event. Staff will demo the technology of accessing wikipedia to the visitors. Maybe the museum will decide to QRCODE more of its collection. See Allenton hippo picture for an example (article co written by a curator).

Who I am

Some of you know me; DYKs are my main claim to fame as I help to run the system. Currently I'm involved with GLAM and wikimedia. I presented a talk at the British Museum conference last year. Victuallers 11:27, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Discussion

Me too, unfortunately I couldn't get the relevant .jars working on my 4 year old mobile - some sort of pre-configured solution on a lend for part of the discussion and workshops in the British Library (and others) would be useful if only to illustrate the Derby story of turning a conventionally public exhibit into an interactive one at minimal cost. Maybe if one of the mobile companies knew what we were up to they would lend us a bit of kit gratis? Fæ 22:41, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

I'm happy to give preliminary approval for this application, given its strategic benefits and the likelihood that the phone could be reused for other purposes in the future, although Tango may disagree. Please could you pin down which pay-as-you-go phone would be needed to do this, and how much it would cost? Thanks. Mike Peel 22:03, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

Thx Mike ... one example phone is here which is just under 100. If we have to be specific then this could be it, but obviously if there is a clone at 70 then I'd like the freedom to buy it instead? Victuallers 10:30, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

Wifi solution

Overview

This question was raised by English Heritage as they may be able to host an event on an interesting site but might not be able to supply wifi in some historic locations. If WMUK were to supply a (realistic) technical solution this might make an simple format for local edit-a-thons more re-usable. We might need to test out possible solutions first as an event where 12 people turn up with laptops would be a disaster if the connection speed were super-sucky-slow (which is my understanding of how the majority of such mobile kit performs).

Budget

No idea, open to options on the potential solution which might be a hire as needed rather than capital requirement. Tentatively £100 capital plus £15 connection fees per event.

Expected outcomes

The ability to run edit-a-thons or other types of interactive workshops (such as in-house preparation) hosted by GLAMs who have difficulty supplying free wifi or where such a solution may be an important back-up plan.

Who

I'm working with GLAMs on future events as a de facto Ambassador (Ferrero Rocher not included) in advance of a register for these sort of things. Fæ 22:40, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

Discussion

Support. We need portable wifi or knowledge of how to rent it for a weekend. Victuallers 23:51, 16 February 2011 (UTC)

In general, this is a great idea, but we need to narrow down the technical possibilities. I think there's two cases:

1. Where there's a network connection/ethernet available, we could make use of a wireless router to share internet between participants
2. Where there's no network connection, but there is a good 3G mobile phone signal, we could use 3G dongles or a 3G router to provide internet access

Which of these is most likely, and would be the best to provide for? Or is there a third option? Mike Peel 20:52, 17 February 2011 (UTC)