Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Christina McClelland, Director of Arts and Culture
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
DATE:	December 11, 2014
RE:	Agenda Item - Appoint Cultural Plan Steering Committee

Background:

In 2012, the City of Lawrence designated a Cultural District, a 0.78 square mile area known for its rich cultural, historic and artistic assets. In 2013, the City of Lawrence established the Cultural District Task Force. The Cultural District Task Force reviewed the current assets of the District and established a list of recommendations in its Cultural District Task Force Report. One of the main priorities that emerged from these recommendations was the development of a city-wide cultural plan. The purpose of this city-wide cultural planning effort is to build upon work done to date by engaging all stakeholders and the community-at-large, providing coordination among the City’s many arts and cultural institutions.

Earlier in the summer of 2014, the City of Lawrence was awarded a Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC) Creative Economy Projects Support Grant which provides funds up to $25,000 for the development of a cultural plan. Additionally, the grant provides funding for marketing materials which will be developed after the completion of the cultural plan. Callahan Creek, a national public relations firm headquartered in Lawrence, has agreed to provide $100,000 of in-kind development services related to the marketing materials in partnership with the City of Lawrence and the Lawrence Arts Center on the grant project.

The development of a city-wide cultural plan is seen as an important next step for the community. It was identified as a key recommendation of the Cultural District Task Force and has been a recommendation of the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission. The cultural plan will coordinate the individual efforts of cultural and arts organizations across the city, as well as the newly designated Cultural District, in order to enable existing and new artists, arts-based industries, and creative sector economic development to thrive in Lawrence. The cultural planning project is key to setting a strong foundation for future activities, continuing building consensus among Lawrence's vibrant arts and cultural organizations, furthering creative sector economic development, increasing cultural tourism, and establishing strong benchmarks to measure success.

An RFQ was released on Friday, November 21 to identify a consultant team to complete the cultural planning process. Three responses were received. To review these responses, a draft Cultural Plan Steering Committee has been recommended by the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission. The group includes City Staff, LCAC representatives, a local artist, and representatives from local arts institutions. In addition to the draft Cultural Plan Steering Committee provided, the Mayor or another Commissioner may wish to serve on the group.

Next Steps:

Should these appointments be made, the Cultural Plan Steering Committee will proceed with reviewing the received proposals and interviewing consultant teams. The recommended consultant team will be brought back to the Commission for approval, likely in late January. The group will remain engaged throughout the cultural planning process, which will also involve significant public engagement throughout the community.

Requested Action:

Appoint Cultural Plan Steering Committee.