Using creative competitions as a technique for audience outreach for museums and galleries. Case studies from Outside In, My East End and Snapshot Brighton. By Peter Pavement of Surface Impression, www.surfaceimpression.com

1. Online participatory projects and exhibitions Peter Pavement Surface Impression www.surfaceimpression.com Engaging with a creative audience

2. Outside In Pallant House Gallery, Chichester My East End Bishopsgate Institute Four Corners Geoffrye Museum Birkbeck College Snapshot Brighton Brighton Photo Fringe White Night Nuit Blanche Brighton & Hove City Council

12. The judges came up with selection criteria and entered them online

13. Then they rated each piece in turn against that criteria

14. By making the criteria the only way to assess a piece of work, the judge rates all contributions more fairly The judge can pause the process and pick it up again at a later hour or day So the process doesn't have to be so arduous.

15. The results are displayed as a ranked gallery

16. The entries and contact information for contributors is all nicely stored and sorted in an online database So galleries can instantly be created as part of the website. People can be kept informed of events, exhibition progress and other opportunities by email newsletter

26. What we've learned No two competitions are the same, you have to adapt techniques and support for each one Community groups who submit work for lots of people often need the most support Live workshops in the space of a museum or gallery generates loads of excellent material Becoming part of a project like Outside In can make a big difference to people's lives Audiences respond really favourably to the organisations involved