Title
Arts and Culture Grantmaking Services
Action
Action:
A. Approve a contract for $2,000,000 with Charlotte Is Creative for Arts and Culture Grantmaking Services, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Alyson Craig, City Manager’s Office
Julia Martin, City Manager’s Office
Explanation
§ On June 10, 2024, the city designated $11,000,000 to Arts and Culture to support a sustainable arts ecosystem.
§ Of this designation, $2,000,000 is to be used for grantmaking that supports individual artists, creatives, collaborations across the ecosystem, and other activities that support the Arts and Culture Plan, with no more than 15 percent of this amount being allocated to administer the grant program.
§ On February 26, 2025, the city issued a Request for Proposals (RFP); six responses were received.
§ Charlotte Is Creative best meets the city’s needs in terms of qualifications, experience, cost, and responsiveness to RFP requirements.
§ Charlotte Is Creative will develop and administer a grant program for $285,000 (14.25% of the $2 million allocation), leaving $1,715,000 available for grant awards.
Charlotte Business INClusion
The city negotiates contract participation after the proposal selection process. Charlotte Is Creative has committed $59,200 (20.77%) of the total administrative costs to the following certified firm(s):
§ Bogues Group (MBE, SBE) ($8,000) (translation services)
§ Civility Localized (MBE, SBE) ($49,400) (media relations support)
§ Into Languages Global (SBE) ($1,800) (community engagement)
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Operating Fund