June 27, 2023
Economic Development
DATE: June 27, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Winifred Day, Arts and Culture Manager
Shané Johnson, Senior Administrative Analyst
Subject:
FY 2023-24 Neighborhood Public Art (NPA) Mini Grant
Awards Selection
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The funding for this grant program is not to exceed $89,589 and will be included in the FY 2023-24 Arts &
Culture division General Fund and One-Percent Fund
budgets as follows:
$65,000 – General Fund (01364065-400201)
$24,589 – One-Percent Fund (13564165-400201)
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Since 2010, the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission
(RACC) has awarded funding to Richmond community
members for art projects all over the city. City staff is bringing forth funding recommendations from the RACC
for the FY 2023-24 Neighborhood Public Art (NPA) Mini
Grant Program for review and approval by the City
Council.
AGENDA
REPORT
June 27, 2023
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a recommendation from the Richmond Arts
and Culture Commission (RACC) for Fiscal Year (FY)
2023-24 to grant awards to twelve selected artists, for a total combined amount not to exceed $89,589, for a term beginning August 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024;
and AUTHORIZE the city manager or their designee to
negotiate and execute agreements with approved
grantees - Economic Development Department
(Nannette Beacham/Winifred Day 510-620-6512).
DISCUSSION:
For over ten years, the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission (RACC) Neighborhood Public Art (NPA) Mini Grant program has awarded grants ranging from $500 to $8,000 to Richmond community members for art projects throughout Richmond. To better support local artists, the RACC voted to increase the award range beginning with a minimum award of $2,500 up to a maximum of $9,000.
The solicitation process for fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 included a Request for Proposals (RFP) which was distributed on March 2, 2023, to over 1000 artists (Attachment 1). The distribution list included artists who attended RACC Community Outreach workshops, artists who had Richmond business licenses, non-profit arts organizations including those located locally in Richmond, and previous NPA Mini Grant award winners and applicants. The RFP was also posted in the City Manager’s Weekly Newsletter and several Social Media platforms including Facebook, etc. The proposal deadline was April 28, 2023.
On March 22, 2023, 40 people attended the mandatory Information Session via ZOOM.
At the April 28, 2023 application deadline, there were 16 successfully submitted applications. The range of proposals included art banners, art exhibits, instrumental music classes, children’s choir performance, filmmakers, etc. The written applications included a project description, resume/bio, project budget, and optional items such as images of prior work and supporting materials including articles, artist statements, postcards, etc.
On May 24-25, 2023, the selection panel conducted interviews with the top applicants.
Subsequently, the panel made their selection of 12 finalists based on the scores and rankings for each proposal (Attachment 2). The scoring rubric allowed for a grand total of 20 points and allotted a five-point maximum to each of the following review criteria:
project description, artist experience, community outreach and engagement, and feasibility including a reasonable timeline and budget.
On June 8, 2023, the RACC voted to recommend that the City Council approve the selection of 12 finalists for NPA Mini Grant awards not to exceed $89,589. Once under contract, the artists will have until June 30, 2024, to complete the awarded project.
June 27, 2023
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – FY 2023-24 NPA Mini Grant RFP
Attachment 2 – NPA Mini Grant Scoring Matrix