Old State House Presents "Digital Shorts" -- an Arkansas History Podcast Contest

LITTLE ROCK, AR--(Marketwire - November 4, 2009) - The Old State House announced today a new competition designed for students and adults interested in a creative way to explore Arkansas History. The podcast contest allows both adults and students to enter "short, non-fiction podcasts" in either audio or audio/visual formats. The contest entries must be related to Arkansas history between 1836 and the present.

A Podcast Contest for Adults & Students

The podcast contest is divided into two groups: Students in 5th through 12th grade, and ages 18 and older. Winners will receive cash prizes. First place winners will also receive custom-designed MySpace pages developed by Aristotle Interactive. All entries are due by January 4, 2010. The winning entries will be featured on YouTube. For complete details see ARDigitalshorts.com.

Arkansas History Goes Social

"By using YouTube to present the award-winning entries, we hope to expose a much larger audience to Arkansas History," stated Bill Gatewood, Director of the Old State House Museum. "We also hope that by presenting the state's history in this format, it will have a greater impact on those who watch or listen, taking Arkansas history beyond the walls of the classroom or museum," Gatewood continued.

The Old State House -- A Museum of Arkansas History

The Old State House served as Arkansas's first state capitol building from 1842 to 1911. The building has functioned as a museum since 1947 and is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The Old State House Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and shares the goal of all seven Department of Arkansas Heritage agencies, that of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas.

For Complete Rules

For complete details on rules and entering the contest, go to http://www.ardigitalshorts.com/enter.aspx. A complete entry form must be submitted for valid entry. Additionally, the entry may require the completion of talent release forms. Both forms are available on the site. To learn more about the Old State House and its historic role in Arkansas, see OldStateHouse.com.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Amy Peck 501.324.8649