Request for Proposals for a Strategic Plan for the Norman Arts Council
The Norman Arts Council (NAC) is seeking a qualified consultant to develop a Strategic Plan to guide the organization’s programs and priorities for the next 5 years. The NAC was founded in 1976. In 1982 when the City of Norman’s citizens passed a Transient Guest Room Tax (Room Tax) designated for arts and recreation, the 25% of the Room Tax allocated to the arts was entrusted to the NAC. The Room Tax remains 75% of the NAC’s 1.2 million dollar budget. The purpose of the NAC is to enrich the community by stimulating artistic, cultural, and economic growth through the support and promotion of the arts.
Organization Background:
The NAC supports exhibits, art walks, arts education experiences, and festivals that draw more than 1,000,000 visitors each year. NAC fulfills its mission through a variety of programs and initiatives. The major programs are described below.
The Transient Guest Room Tax Grant Program (Hotel Grants) is the NAC’s primary program. This granting program was designed to respond to the growing needs of arts and cultural organizations in the Norman community. Hotel Grants provide both financial and educational support for arts and cultural organizations. Early on, the Arts and Humanities Roundtable (Roundtable), was formed. This network of 501(c) 3 arts and cultural organizations in Norman allows for dialogue and collaboration between all involved for the purpose of continuing our community’s growth as an arts destination. The Roundtable nominates the Hotel Grants Award panelist. The NAC Board of Directors (Board) appoints the panelist. The Hotel Grants distribute more than $500,000 among approximately 30 non-profit arts agencies.
Norman is home to an ever-expanding collection of public art, including standalone sculpture most prominently with newly built and upgraded facilities made possible by the Norman Forward 1% for Art program. In addition to Sculpture, the Public Arts Committee supports the installation of storm drain murals, ducks and bike racks dotted across town. Most recently, that program got an infusion of funds to support the installation of murals.
One of NAC’s most popular programs is 2nd Friday. It runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on the 2nd Friday of each month in the Walker Arts District of Downtown Norman. It is a free, fun celebration of arts and creativity. Featuring art exhibits, live performances, shop specials, dining, drinks, and much more.
MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery (MAINSITE) is the home of the NAC. In addition to being the offices of NAC, MAINSITE is a popular gallery in historic Downtown Norman. It hosts numerous exhibitions, events, workshops, performances, concerts, and more. It's also available as a venue for event rentals.
Two of our smaller, but vitally important, programs are Arts Education Scholarships and Individual Artist Grants. Arts Education Scholarship provide Norman students the opportunity to attend arts programming that is offered outside of schools. The Individual Artist Grants provide funds to artists to further their careers.
The list of programs above is not a comprehensive list of the programs offered by the NAC, but is designed to give consultants an understanding of how deeply the success of the NAC is entwined with the success of the arts community in Norman. The arts community generates over $36 million in economic impact and is essential to Norman’s identity as a unique place.
Scope:
Good relationships with our partner agencies and the community’s confidence that we are using the funds entrusted to us wisely are at the heart of the success of the NAC. Because of this imperative, it is critical that input beyond that of the Board and staff be solicited. The following stakeholders must also have input into the direction of the NAC: the Roundtable, artists, scholarship recipient’s families, donors, and the citizens of Norman. The successful respondent will provide a plan of how they will reach out to each of these groups.
The deliverables will include at a minimum the Strategic Plan, including implementation strategies for each of the goals and the raw data from surveys, discussions or any other public input instrument used to gain insight into our stakeholder groups. Where appropriate anonymity of individual respondents may be maintained. We also need performance measures and/or an assessment tool that will allow us to determine the progress we are making toward our goals.
Timeline:
We would like to kick-off the plan in November and finish within 4 to 6 months. The RFP schedule is below.
RFP released on September 20, 2024
Proposals due on Monday, October 21, 2024 @ 5pm
Contract negotiations November 1 – 8, 2024
Contract award November 15, 2024
NAC Strategic Planning Committee plans to select a consultant based on the written proposal; however, the committee reserves the right to interview responders. Interviews may cause the timeline above to be adjusted.
Application Process:
Prospective consultants should provide their Proposal with pricing information to:
Leslie Nottingham, Executive Director
Norman Arts Council
122 W Main Street Norman, OK 73069
Digital submissions are preferred.
Proposals are due on Monday, October 21, 2024 @ 5pm. Any queries or clarifications should also be addressed to the Executive Director.