Cultural District Ambassador Program
To download the Notice of Funding Availability, click HERE
To download a list of application questions, click HERE
Purpose
The Cultural District Ambassador Program supports one ambassador in each Cultural District to work closely with community (local business, cultural venues, organizations, etc.), Arts & Cultural Affairs department staff, the other Cultural District ambassadors and Minneapolis Arts Commissioners to leverage arts and culture to identify site-responsive community needs with focus on community building, well-being and the economic vitality of the Minneapolis Cultural Districts.
An “Ambassador” is defined as “a person, cultural group, arts space, school, or neighborhood organization” that is already deeply rooted in the Cultural District.
The roles and responsibilities of an Ambassador include:
Organize, facilitate and host quarterly gatherings within the Cultural District to include artists, community advocates/enthusiasts, cultural organizations, cultural spaces and affinity groups to come together and discuss common issues and opportunities, under the shared goal of fostering community cohesion through arts and culture.
Host the quarterly gathering, organize and produce it, rent the venue, and cover any gathering expenses. (See eligible expenses below).
Maintain an active and on-going list of attendees, minutes and other documentation from these gatherings.
Meet with other Ambassadors in other Cultural Districts to share knowledge and information.
Work with and regularly communicate updates to City Staff, Minneapolis Arts Commission, and the community to ensure proper stewardship of this program.
Organize, facilitate and host site responsive programming (See eligible programming section below).
Terms and Conditions
One Ambassador per Cultural District will be selected each funding cycle.
Awards of up to $15,000 per selected ambassador will be provided – award will cover all costs associated with the labor of managing the program, rental of space, and gathering expenses.
Funding will be available to selected ambassadors for a 12-month term; Must be contracted before December 20, 2024.
Selection Criteria
Eligible locations
Cultural Districts are areas that the City of Minneapolis has legally recognized due to their rich cultural and/or linguistic identity. These areas are often rooted in communities significantly populated by Black, people of color, Indigenous people and/or immigrants. Each Cultural District has a goods and services corridor as the core of the district, and is walkable, accessible, and has access to public transportation. At present, there are seven legally designated Cultural Districts in the City of Minneapolis, located in the following commercial corridors and include:
All Activities must benefit communities and residents within the Cultural Districts, with Activities taking place within selected Cultural District. To find out if your work is eligible for funding, refer to our interactive Cultural Districts map HERE: Minneapolis Cultural Districts (arcgis.com). Applicants are requested to consider the Cultural District location for their work and select the Cultural District that aligns best with the location and community they are prioritizing.
Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants include individuals, businesses, cultural groups, arts spaces, schools, and organizations, including neighborhood organizations.
If the applicant is a group, non-profit, art space, school, or neighborhood association, an individual representing this group must be named in the application.
If the applicant is an informal collective that is not a registered business with the state, a Minnesotan resident in compliance with state laws must be willing to contract with the City on behalf of the group.
Applicants must be Minnesota residents and be able to work in-person throughout the term of their work on this Program. Priority will be given to applicants who live in and/or work in or near one of the Cultural Districts.
Applicant must demonstrate capacity to commit a minimum of 20 hours per month for 12 months to Activities.
Applicant must have an existing network of relationships in their selected Cultural District, must be deeply rooted in the Cultural District, and must be interested and willing to connect to communities within the district.
Applicant must have a demonstrated portfolio or work history and grounded experience working with the communities of their Cultural District, including community organizing, advocacy and communication.
Applicant must demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of their selected Cultural District’s history, culture, and local community.
Priority will be given to applicants with cultural competency and authentic connections to the communities within their Cultural Districts.
Applicant must demonstrate the capacity to engage communities in diverse, deep and meaningful ways.
Applicants must have demonstrated experience in public speaking and creating inclusive, welcoming, and accessible spaces.
IMPORTANT DATES
Applications open: June 21, 2024
Program information webinar: June 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. (Sign Up)
Questions on NOFA due: July 2, 2024
Responses to Questions posted: July 8, 2024
Application deadline: July 26, 2024, at 4:30 PM CST
Applications review: July 29 to August 9, 2024
Award notifications: August 15, 2024
Eligible funding period: August 20, 2024, to July 31, 2025
Eligible Programming
Activities/Programming may include, but are not limited to the following:
Cultural Exchange Programs: Promote understanding and appreciation between and across cultures, fostering a sense of belonging within the Cultural District community.
Arts Education: Advocate to expose students to various forms of art and cultural expressions unique to their Cultural District.
Promotion of Community Events: Promote community events such as festivals, art fairs, and concerts that reflect the cultural heritage of the Cultural District, celebrate the diversity of cultures within the Cultural District, and/or bring people together to foster a sense of unity and belonging.
Cultural Preservation: Advocate for the preservation of Cultural District landmarks, cultural traditions, and cultural heritage, ensuring that the rich cultural tapestry of the Cultural District is preserved for future generations.
Economic Development: Collaborate with local businesses and organizations to promote cultural tourism, showcasing the Cultural District as a vibrant cultural destination and driving economic growth in the Cultural District.
Community Engagement: Facilitate dialogue and collaboration between various cultural groups within the Cultural District, promoting cross-cultural understanding and cultural competence.
Arts Funding and Awards: Advocate for increased funding and awards for arts and cultural organizations within the Cultural District, ensuring that they have the resources they need to thrive and contribute to the community.
Eligible Expenses
Budget, including any proposed expenses, must be pre-approved by Arts & Cultural Affairs staff and meet the states public purpose expenditures criteria
Staff wages and benefits expended on program work
Artist fees
Supplies and equipment necessary to carry out program activities
Convening expenses
Communication expenses
Marketing expenses
Team-Building expenses
Expenses to enhance accessibility
Expenses supporting representation and inclusion
Offset Free and/or affordable events
Arts & Cultural Affairs staff with will work closely with each Cultural Ambassador to ensure payments, as well as work with the ambassador's cohort and help coordinate ambassadors’ meetings and ensure the documentation and evaluation of the program.
Evaluation Criteria
In reviewing applications, the review team/panel will consider the criteria below. The City may, in its sole discretion, expand or reduce the criteria upon which it bases its final decisions.
Priority will be given to applicants who live in and/or work in or near one of the city's seven Cultural Districts.
Applicant must have an existing network of relationships in their selected Cultural District and must be interested and willing to connect to communities within the district.
Applicant must have a demonstrated portfolio or work history and grounded experience working with the communities of their Cultural District, including community organizing, advocacy and communication.
Applicant must demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of their selected Cultural District’s history, culture, and local community.
Priority will be given to applicants with cultural competency and authentic connections to the communities within their Cultural Districts.
Eligible applicant or “ambassador” is defined as a person, cultural group, arts space, school, or neighborhood organization deeply rooted in the Cultural District.
Applicant must demonstrate the capacity to engage communities in diverse, deep and meaningful ways.
Applicants must have demonstrated experience in public speaking and creating inclusive, welcoming, and accessible spaces.
Whether the applicant and application meet all eligibility criteria and satisfy all Notice for Funding Availability (NOFA) requirements.
Whether NOFA Project funds are available.
How well the application meets City goals, priorities and plans, including the reduction of climate impact and ensure equity.
Expressed needs of the applicant and affiliated arts sector.
Quality, thoroughness, and clarity of the application.
Qualifications and experience of the applicant.
Feasibility of proposed activities and ability of applicant to complete proposed activities.
Level of cultural competency, creativity, innovation, and community building expressed in the application.
Ability to support a broad range of unique artists and diverse arts activities that support creative art making and cultural exchange.