The following is an excerpt of an article from InPark Magazine issue #108, written by Judith Rubin

‍

“When multiple systems become impractical to maintain, LiCA can step in as the big overseer,” said Alexander Cooper, Head of Exhibit Technology for the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Cooper led the internal team that set out to design a new, comprehensive system to unify architectural lighting control across diverse venues. What emerged was LiCA – the Smithsonian’s Lighting Control Application– a bespoke software system, co-developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution by Smart Monkeys Inc. (SMI). Its rollout on the Smithsonian museum campus has begun, and this breakthrough platform has the potential to transform control for museums and other venues throughout the industry.

The LiCA system was first delivered in 2023 to the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture and then in 2024 to the Renwick Gallery, with plans for the National Postal Museum next. Over the months following the initial implementation, SMI and Smithsonian staff conducted extensive testing. About 20 internal testers across different staff roles were given access, ensuring the system worked equally well for technicians, curators, and administrative operators. Feedback loops helped refine features in real time. That iterative process has become central to LiCA’s identity.

“We knew from the start this was going to evolve,” said Cooper. “What we didn’t expect was how quickly it would grow into something that could be generalized to the wider museum community.”

The LiCA source code is available upon request, and that availability promises to influence a much wider community of operators and integrators. LiCA’s granularity, user-first interface, and IT-friendly architecture make it adaptable not only for museums but also with potential application for theme parks, science centers, heritage sites, and beyond.

“Most of the stories about us in recent years have focused on ISAAC,” said David Rouchet. “LiCA is different – it is fully custom software, designed for one client but with lessons that can be generalized.”

“It paved the way for us internally,” said Strauss. “We learned how to apply our processes to bespoke software and realized there’s a real demand for it. It’s not just about hardware anymore. It’s about making systems that people can actually use.”

This kind of specialized product development offers a way to bring owners and operators closer to their spaces.

‍

As co-founder Stephan Villet observed, “There are still times when you need something completely bespoke. It has the huge benefit to clients of engaging them more deeply in realizing their environment.”

‍

Learn more about LiCA at https://www.inparkmagazine.com/108smartmonkeys/