STANDING UP A CITY ARTS PROGRAM

The City of Charlottesville is soliciting a qualified consulting firm to design, establish, and launch a centralized public arts program and a 501(c)(3) Arts Council. The consultant will develop policies, recruit and seat a volunteer Public Arts Commission, create governance documents, apply for nonprofit status, and propose sustainable funding and staffing models. The effort culminates in a hand‑off to city staff for ongoing program management. The work is expected to span twelve months and includes extensive stakeholder engagement, policy drafting, nonprofit formation, and delivery of a comprehensive business plan. • Develop policies, procedures, bylaws, and recruitment process for a volunteer Public Arts Commission. • Draft mission, vision, values, and operational framework for the City’s Public Art Program. • Create a 501(c)(3) Arts Council: incorporation documents, bylaws, strategic plan, and apply for tax‑exempt status. • Propose sustainable funding, governance structure, and staffing recommendations for both the commission and council. • Conduct community outreach, stakeholder interviews, and coordination with peer‑city arts programs. • Deliver a full set of deliverables (policy manuals, budget, job description, contractual agreements) and transition the program to city staff.