By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
Salina Arts & Humanities is looking to expand cultural footprint in the arts with an out of state consultant.
Salina Arts & Humanities received proposals from 38 regional and national organizations that took place in November resulting in 5 qualified bids, for a strategic plan in advancing local cultural arts.
The proposals were evaluated in a variety of areas including:
- Level of professional presentation of proposals.
- Methodology of the outlined scope of work.
- Demonstrated ability to complete the work on time.
- Professional qualifications of staff and research personnel.
- Experience with cultural planning in similar sized communities.
- Ability to engage with local and rural residents and the overall cost.
The recommendation of Keen Independent Research, Inc. was unanimous by the evaluation committee, which also had the lowest preliminary bid of $49,910.
According to the Salina Arts & Humanities, this initiative is essential for developing a comprehensive community cultural plan that will enhance Salina’s cultural and artistic vitality and contribute to its economic prosperity.
The key components of this community cultural plan includes:
• Develop a strategic vision that aligns cultural initiatives with community goals.
• Foster an inclusive cultural landscape that reflects Salina's diverse population.
• Leverage cultural planning to boost local tourism and economic activities.
• Attract new investments and workforce by positioning Salina as a vibrant cultural hub in Kansas.
• Facilitate broad community participation and support for cultural initiatives.
• Strengthen community identity and pride through collaborative efforts.
• Maximize the use of available resources by identifying synergistic partnerships with new and existing cultural organizations.
• Prioritize cultural investments to ensure balanced and effective development as the community’s needs change.
The requested amount will cover contracting fees and related project expenses, including a 10% contingency, ensuring the delivery of a robust and actionable cultural plan. It also includes up to $5,000 of contingency funds to cover the possibility of representatives from Keen Independent being on-site for the final presentation of the plan to the City Commission.
Commissioner Doug Rempp did not support the move to hire an out of state consultant to provide resources for the arts department.
"Myself and others in the community feel we hire outside consultant firms too often. Salina has had more than its fair share of pioneers in the past and I know we have them now. It seems like a group from the community can be brought together and do alot of the things that a consulting group would come in and do," said Rempp.
He further brought up the over $1.2 million budget the arts department has, with salaries of half a million and did not agree with bringing in Keen Independent to consult the plan.
Director of Salina Arts & Humanities, Brad Anderson stated that with himself and his staff's workload, it would be difficult to bring a fresh perspective on this strategic plan.
He thinks the consulting firm would bring in the vision and qualified research to ensure the plan is successful.
"We all hear about consultants and reports that end up on a shelf and gather dust, but that is not the case," said Anderson. "Between SculptureTour, The Garage, BOOM, the upcoming river project and major economic development happening in our community, that's far surpassed what any of us had thought was possible...we are going to put this work."
"I think getting an outside opinion is good because we are never going to be any smarter than the smartest person that we have at the table," said Dr. Davis. "We are not marketing to ourselves but to others and you don't know till you research it. We may find out we are doing everything that we need to be doing and pat ourselves on the back."
Total investment is $59,901.
The funding will come from the $100,000 budgeted in the Sales Tax Capital Fund for Capital Planning.