A Cape May MAC bus tour carries visitors to historic locations throughout Cape May, NJ. Photo courtesy of Cape May MAC.

Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) supports the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of Cape May through the stewardship of several historic properties and by offering a range of cultural programming, including tours, festivals, music and theatre performances, and educational programs.

Cape May MAC received a $35,000 grant for a technology upgrade project through the Cultural Trust’s FY22 Institutional and Financial Stabilization Grants for History Organizations program.

Technology changes quickly and is essential to organizational operations. By investing in new software, equipment, and strategies, arts and culture nonprofits can grow their capacity, align with changing industry standards, and better meet the needs of their audiences. The Cultural Trust supports the one-time purchases of software and equipment, as well as the engagement of experts to support technology upgrades through consultation and training.

For Cape May MAC, the COVID-19 pandemic and the organization’s subsequent shift to largely offering virtual programming highlighted the need to expand its technological capacities. One area they identified as a priority for modernization was Cape May MAC’s long-running events guide, “This Week in Cape May,” or TWICM. The publication includes thousands of listing each year, highlighting both Cape May MAC’s extensive programming and events offered by partner organizations throughout Cape May. For most of Cape May MAC’s history, TWICM was primarily a print publication, with around 12 issues printed annually.

Cape May MAC’s Cultural Trust grant supported the engagement of a consultant to create a mobile app version of TWICM. The new Cape May MAC app launched in late 2022 in the Apple and Google Play stores. The app has enhanced the functionality and reach of the traditional TWICM publication, delivering up-to-date event information in a clean and easy-to-use format. Additionally, Cape May MAC identified many “sustained benefits” of the project: The app reduces the need for print publication and saves the organization money on printing costs every year, it generates revenue through ticket sales and digital advertising opportunities, and it offers new ways for Cape May MAC to reach and grow their audience, including geotargeting and push notifications. Through these long-term financial and institutional benefits, the grant project has laid the groundwork for ongoing investments and organizational success.

Learn more about Cape May MAC: https://capemaymac.org/

The Cape May MAC app is available in the Apple and Google Play stores. Image courtesy of Cape May MAC.