Cultural Districts Initiative Program Re-Design - RFR# 2025-002 - Mass Cultural Council

Background
The Mass Cultural Council, an agency dedicated to promoting the arts, humanities, and sciences in Massachusetts, is seeking proposals from a consultant to redesign the Cultural Districts Initiative (CDI). This initiative aims to drive economic growth through creativity and creative placemaking within designated cultural districts and their host communities. The redesign will align with the agency's Strategic Plan and focus on enhancing the program's effectiveness in fostering economic development.

Work Details
The consultant will work closely with the Cultural Districts Program Officer and other agency staff to conduct a comprehensive review of the CDI. The redesign will focus on four primary areas:

1. Maximizing the intent of the program’s legislative statute for economic development.
2. Ensuring sustainability of cultural districts.
3. Aligning with other state agencies for support.
4. Assessing additional support areas across the Commonwealth.

The project consists of two main parts:

- Part 1 involves facilitating a Program Design Task Force with representatives from various state agencies to develop new guidelines for CDI. This includes identifying supportive programs, coordinating meetings, and documenting discussions.
- Part 2 requires understanding the current CDI approach and similar programs nationwide through interviews, surveys, and policy research.

Deliverables include a draft outline of revised program guidelines based on Task Force input and a final report detailing available state programs, recommendations for addressing community needs, and general policy suggestions for program growth.

Period of Performance
The contract will commence upon execution and is expected to run until June 30, 2025, with options to renew for up to three additional 12-month periods, potentially extending total performance until June 30, 2028.

Place of Performance
The services will primarily be performed in Boston, Massachusetts, where the Mass Cultural Council is located.