The Cultural Affairs Division of the City of Oakland announces an extension of its call for cultural consultants to submit their qualifications to be Cultural Strategists-in-Government to advance equity, belonging and well-being for all communities of Oakland.
The Cultural Strategist-in-Government Program will fund the placement of artists and cultural workers in City departments to infuse City policy-making and problem-solving with new perspectives and creative thinking to promote civic belonging and well-being. The Cultural Strategists Program will be accepting responses to its Request for Qualifications for the following six City departments/offices until Monday, February 28, 2022 at 5PM:
- AssistHub, Office of the Mayor
- Community Homeless Services, Human Services Department
- Department of Violence Prevention
- Environmental Services Division, Oakland Public Works Department
- Public Art Program-Cultural Affairs Division, Economic & Workforce Development Department
Plus, New Project:
- The Office of the President of City Council
Cultural strategists are not typical artists-in-residence. There is no expectation that CSIGs will produce an artistic product. CSIGs can be artists, but they could also be cultural workers, creative entrepreneurs, traditional culture bearers, community historians or others who are knowledgeable of culturally-specific practices, history or heritage relevant to communities in Oakland. CSIGs should be interested in serving the community and believe that City government can and should work effectively for all Oaklanders.
Candidates who previously submitted applications to the listed City entities are welcome to revise their application, or withdraw it and submit a new application to a different City project.
Cultural Strategist applications received by the February 28th deadline will be reviewed by City and CSIG Program staff and finalists will be interviewed in late March 2022. Up to six professional service contracts, not to exceed $48,000 each, will be awarded. Notification of awards is anticipated in early April 2022. Most of the CSIG placements are anticipated to last for 12 months, however, applicants can suggest different timing in their RFQ responses.
For more information about this opportunity contact Vanessa Whang at csigprogram@gmail.com.