Re-Call for Projects and Overview of Round 2 Opportunities

Pre-Call for Projects and Overview of Round 2 Opportunities

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Arts in California Parks

2. Overview of Round 2 Process & Schedule

• Staff Survey

• Project Review & Selection

• Engaging Artists, Culture Bearers, & Other Partners

3. Funding Categories

• Multi-District Projects

• Park-Specific Projects

1. Introduction to Arts in California Parks

California State Parks is excited to share Art in State Parks- Round 2 funding opportunities with State Parks staff! Arts in State Parks is one part of the Arts in California Parks program. Arts in California Parks is funded by a one-time General Fund allowance of $25 million and seeks to (1) support artists, culture bearers, California Native American tribes, and communities in creating artwork that offers perspective on our past and present and help us imagine our potential, and (2) establish art installations and programming in State and local parks as catalysts for sustainable community connection, health, and well-being.

The following goals guide the Arts in California Parks Program:

• Welcome: to draw California’s diverse populations into parks with culturally reflective and sensitive projects and programs.

• Empower: to provide opportunities for mentorship and employment, expanding avenues for creative career pathways.

• Heal: to harness the healing potential of arts and parks to improve physical, mental, and emotional health of individuals and communities.

• Connect: to create emotional and contemporary experiences that connect people to their state and local parks, link culture and place, and intertwine communities.

• Inspire: to evoke a sense of creativity and exploration among visitors, to celebrate California’s diverse tribal and cultural heritage, and to memorialize the cultural significance of park lands.

Arts in State Parks will provide over $8M of funding for projects within State Park boundaries through three annual funding cycles (2023, 2024, and 2025). Round 1 provided approximately $1 million in funding for 18 pilot projects, many of which will be completed in the Spring or Summer of 2024. There is approximately $3M in funding for all Round 2 Projects.

For more information on Arts in California Parks, visit www.artsincaliforniaparks.org.

2. Overview of Round 2 Process & Schedule

Building on lessons learned from pilot projects and input from staff and partners, Round 2 is designed to build capacity of State Parks staff and creative partners to develop and implement projects.

Multiple funding categories have been defined for Round 2 to build upon Round 1 successes, explore new project ideas, make it easy for parks with limited capacity and/or relationships with artists to participate, align projects with contracting realities, and ensure equity and transparency in artist engagement. Seven of these categories are for parkspecific projects, and four categories are for multi-park projects.

The proposal process, project selection, and artist/partner engagement for both parkspecific and multi-park projects is summarized in Figure 1 and described below. Funding categories are further discussed in Sections 2 and 3.

The Deadline for expending Round 2 funds will be project dependent. However, all Program funds must be encumbered prior to June 2027 and funds will be liquidated if not utilized by June 2029.

Staff Survey

Why is it important to participate in the Staff Survey?

Round 2 will kick-off with a survey that will solicit interest, ideas, questions and concerns from District Interpretive Coordinators (DICs) and collaborators. More specifically, the survey will serve as a:

• Call to participate in multi-Park Projects

The survey is the call for parks to participate in projects that span multiple parks in the state. Each district will nominate parks to participate in the projects.

• Tool to gather ideas and questions about Park-Specific Projects

The survey is a place for parks staff to share initial ideas, questions, concerns and requests for additional support related to park-specific projects, and to flag any project ideas that do not fit into any of the funding categories.

• Tool to collect information on venues

Information on facilities and spaces that can support art events and programming will inform which parks are included in multi-park projects and support the development of new resources to help connect artists with parks.

NOTE: All Dates are Tentative

Project Review and Selection

How will projects be selected?

A Review Committee will assess merits for all project proposals based on the general considerations listed below as well as considerations specific to each funding category and make recommendations to the Selection Committee who will be responsible for selecting projects to receive funding. The composition and roles of the Review Panel and Selection Committee are described below. Committee composition is described below.

Considerations for Project Review

What will reviewers focus on?

Proposals for most funding categories will not identify artists and creative partners, as artists and creative partners will be engaged after the project has been selected for funding. However, where artists and creative partners are identified as part of proposals, their qualifications will be considered by both the Review Committee and Selection Committee.

The Review Committee will use a standard rubric to score each project on the following considerations.

• Alignment with Arts in California Parks Program Goals.

• Excellence of Project Vision

• Project Implementation Capacity

• Geographic Priority Areas

• Funding category-specific considerations

Considerations for Project Selection

What will selectors focus on?

The Multi-disciplinary Selection Committee is made up of representatives from the Cultural Resources, Interpretation and Education, Facilities, Natural Resources, Service Centers Divisions as well as representatives from each District. The selection committee is tasked with selecting projects for funding under multiple funding sources.

Proposal

Reviewers

• State Parks staff

• California arts Council (CAC)

• Parks California

• Program Staff

Multidisciplinary Selection committee

• Cultural Resources

• Interpretation & Education

• Facilities Division

• Natural Resources

• Service Centers

• District Representatives

Final approval by state parrks leadership

Engaging Artists, Culture Bearers & Other Partners

Proposals for most funding categories will not identify artists and creative partners, as artists and culture bearers will be engaged after the project has been selected for funding. This will allow for a transparent and equitable selection process and facilitate contracting processes. In some cases, organizational partners (typically non-profits) may be identified within teams to lead a project.

Methods for Selecting and Contracting Artists

The primary methods for engaging and contracting artists and culture bearers include:

• Competitive bid through State Parks Request for Proposals (RFP). State Parks would lead the selection process, and program partners (CAC and Parks California) would support outreach and selection. The selected party(ies) would be contracted through a STD 213 contract.

• Call for Artists.

A Call for Artists is a less formal process, yet still allows for an inclusive and competitive selection process. Outreach and selection would be supported by program partners. Contracting methods could include DPR 285s for contracts under $10,000 or contracting through State Parks on-call consultants (such as PlaceWorks).

• Invitation.

In some cases, artists will be invited directly to participate in projects. This is primarily relevant to Poetry in Parks and Native American Dance. Contracting methods could include DPR 285s for contracts under $10,000 or contracting through State Parks on-call consultants (such as PlaceWorks).

Artist stipends may also be offered through a contracted project partner or through one of State Parks’ on-call consultants.

Toolkits with templates for RFPs, contracts, and partner/artist selection, are being developed to support this Program. These tools will provide information on anticipated timeline for receiving funding.

Anticipated methods for engaging and contracting with partners for the different funding categories is detailed in the appendix.

Categories: Multi-District Projects

Districts will nominate parks to participate in these programs in the staff survey distributed on March 27, 2024. Program staff develop multi-park proposals with District input.

Multi- district projects Building Bridges through Art

This multi-park program will fund small collaborations between artists and staff that create new experiences and draw new visitors in up to 21 parks, or one park per District based largely on responses to the Pre-Call for Projects Survey. These smaller scale collaborations aim to uplift artists and infuse art into parks on a broad scale.

A systemwide Call for Artists to participate in these collaborations is envisioned as being announced at Park Weeks 2024, and collaborative projects would be launched at or before Park Weeks 2025. Participating Districts/ Parks will provide input on artist selection. Community engagement will be essential to all projects.

Art Float - Riverside

Budget Range

$5-$10k per project

Program funding may be available to pay extra/seasonal staff to support these programs.

Park Selection

Park staff will propose parks to participate in this program through the Staff Survey. Program staff/HQ to recommend final package of parks for Districts to approve. Parks that have high visitor traffic, low existing arts programming, and that host or could host parks weeks events are likely great locations.

How will partners be engaged?

• Artists will respond to a systemwide Call for Artists, and be contracted using DPR 285.

• Organizational partners are not anticipated.

Sculpture floating in Lake Evans at Fairmnt Pakr in Riverside California. (2018)

Photo Credit: Riverside Art Museum

Inspiration

Reservoir by John Grade

Shovel Gateway

The National Park Tempestry Project

Rainwater collecting installation in Trento Italy. (2019) Photo Credit: John Grade Studio

Sculpture designed by Chris Fennell at the UC Davis Arboretum. (2013)

Photo Credit: Chris Fennell

Crocheted weather data from Theodore Roosevelt National Park in 1916 (left) and 2016 (right)

Photo Credit: Kathleen Roderick

Multidistrict projects

MultiPark Exhibits and touring performances

Touring performances, exhibits and/ or installations will inspire creativity and exploration across the state, connecting visitors to emotional and contemporary experiences that link culture and place and intertwine communities.

Artists/organizations will be selected to provide art installations (most likely temporary) or programming at multiple State Parks, bringing high-quality experiences to communities throughout the state.

Budget range $10-$100k per project

Park Selection

The parks that may be included in a tour will be identified in the Call for Artists based largely on input received from the staff survey and will be finalized based on the selected proposals. There may be one or more projects selected.

How will partners be engaged?

Artists and/or organizations will respond to a system-wide Request for Proposals and be contracted using STD 213s.

Inspiration

Bandaloop Dance Performance

Substructures V by Andres Amador

Bandaloop touring vertical dance performances.

Photo Credit: Bandaloop Studios

Sand artist Andres Amador’s piece “Substructures V” in Half Moon Bay, California (2009)

Photo Credit: Andres Amador

Multidistrict projects Poetry in Parks Program

Literary organizations, poet laureates, student poets, musicians, Native American singers, storytellers, and others create provocative inspirational experiences in State Park settings.

This program is underway and will conduct at least 8 events in 2024 and continue to expand in subsequent years. In addition to numerous regional events, the Program envisions an annual ‘Poetry Summit’ with poetry and other arts.

The program is building relationships with Poetry Out Loud, California Poets in the Schools, and other established organizations at the State level, as well as regional and local organizations as relevant to each site. Selection of partners, poets, and other collaborators led by Poetry in Parks staff, with input from institutional partners and poet laureates.

Budget range

Approximately $120,000 for multiple regional events and 1 Statewide Poetry Summit.

Park Selection

In 2025, Poetry in Parks will build upon successful 2024 events and add additional locations based on input received in the staff survey and other opportunities that arise.

How will partners be engaged?

• Organizational partners will be engaged as appropriate for specific events.

• Poets and other artists/performers will be invited by program partners and/or event-planning teams.

Pilot/Current Program

It is expected that more than 10 events will be conducted in 2024 as part of the Pilot Program. Events have been confirmed for:

• Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

• China Camp State Park

• El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

• Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

• Empire Mine State Historic Park

Native American Dance Program

Native American Dance events conducted through this program will connect communities to the local indigenous history of the region. By uplifting local indigenous history and culture, they build awareness about the history and presence of native communities.

Budget range

Approximately $200,000 for multiple regional events.

Park Selection

State Parks staff and representatives from Native American tribes are convening a working group that will generate best practices for Native Dance events and identify up to 6 Native Dance pilot projects for Round 2 funding.

How will partners be engaged?

Partners and contracting strategies will be identified by Native Dance Working Group.

Inspiration

Native Performance in Ohlone Park

Dance performance in Ohlone Park.

Photo Credit: Anne Brown-Crawford

3. Funding Categories for Park - Specific Projects

Staff develop Proposals. Interest solicited in survey so that Program can offer pre-support and address questions.

Park- Specific projects

Interpretation through Art

Innovative concepts for connecting a park’s unique stories and resources with visitors will emerge through collaborations between District staff, artists, and communities; resulting in meaningful and memorable park experiences and address challenges faced by interpretive staff. These projects will enhance culturally relevant and sensitive interpretation to parks and evoke a sense of creativity and exploration among visitors as they interface with various interpretations of the Park’s natural and cultural history.

To propose a project under this funding category, District staff will need to identify a location (park and/or specific space or feature) and associated topic or theme that would benefit from an artistic perspective. This may include, but is not limited to, history, cultural resources or phenomena, or natural resources or phenomena as it connects to human experience. District staff will not identify project concepts as part of the proposal. However, if a Districts’ proposal is selected for Program funding, District staff will assist with the Requests for Proposal process and take part if artist/partner selection and subsequently collaborate with the selected artist to develop and implement a project.

Who can propose?

Every park is eligible to propose a project. How will partners be engaged?

Artists and organizations will respond to Project-specific Request for Proposals and contracted using STD 213s.

Budget Range

$20-$75k per project.

Inspiration

Examples of similar interpretation through Art projects include:

Belmar Triangle

The Belmar Triangle in Santa Monica is an art installation that celebrates and commemorates the African American community that was removed from the area in the name of urban renewal.

Teeter - Totter Wall

An interactive art installation along the U.S. -Mexico border created by architecture studio Rael San Fratello.

Belmar History + Art Exhibit by April Banks

Photo Credit: Santa Monica Conservancy

Teeter-Totter Wall Photo Credit: Rael San Fratello

Park- Specific projects

Public History to Public Art

This funding category exists to emphasize multidisciplinary collaboration and amplify research that is completed or underway. It aims to connect researchers and artists to uplift stories and perspectives that are historically under told.

Projects could be programs and/ or installations and can draw on all art forms, including ephemeral and permanent installations.

Who can propose?

Parks where new research has been done in partnership with individuals, institutions or organizations are encouraged to propose. This may include parks participating in the Relevancy and History program, the African American History and Engagement project, the Tribal Lands project, or other program that generates new research.

How will partners be engaged?

• Research/Institutional partners may be identified in proposals and contracted through On-Call Consultant (PlaceWorks) or DPR 285s.

• Artists/creative teams will respond to project-specific Request for Proposals and contracted through STD 213s. Institutional partners may also being included on artist/ creative teams.

Budget Range

$20-$75k per project

Inspiration

Workshops and Trainings in the Capital District

The Capital District is currently conducting a series of workshops that will result in new and ongoing creative collaborations between the Capital District and local institutions of higher learning. Visit https:// artsincaliforniaparks.org/projects/ for more information.

Artists in Residence

Artists in Residence programs bring artists into parks to inspire and uplift their practice while also introducing visitors to the benefits of interacting with the artistic process. These programs can be set up for artists to stay in or near the park overnight or can be daytime only programs. The goal is to bring artists into parks to connect with and be inspired by the park, and to offer programs or experiences that connect parks visitors with the park. Profound collaborations and artwork can emerge from such programs that will create experiences across time and space.

Who can propose?

Every park is eligible to propose Artist in Residence Programs, as long as adequate facilities exist to support the program.

How will partners be engaged?

Organizational partners may be identified in project proposals and may be contracted through On-Call Consultant (PlaceWorks) or DPR 285s. Guidelines will be provided for engaging artists to participate in the residency program.

Budget Range

$20-$60k per project

Inspiration

Examples of existing artists in residence programs include:

• Pond Farm Pottery Artist in Residence

Bay Area District- Austin Creek State Recreation Area

• Creating Modern Art to Welcome our Diverse Community

San Luis Obispo Coast DistrictHearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Photo Credit: Andy Goldsworthy

Land Art by Andy Goldsworthy

Park- Specific projects

Art Abouts

Art abouts are guided group experiences led by State Parks staff and/or partners that create meaningful experiences and new connections between artists and parks. Artists then create responsive artworks that can be shared through a public exhibit or incorporated into the park experience.

Art Abouts are an opportunity to bring new ideas and voices, commentary, and perspective, and can be especially powerful for parks or communities that are dealing with natural disasters or other changes.

Depending on the park, experiences could include overnight camping trips, guided tours, kayaking adventures, workshops, or art making events.

Who can propose?

Every park is eligible to propose Art About program experiences.

How will partners be engaged?

• Organizational partners may be identified in the proposal and contracted through On-Call Consultant (PlaceWorks) or DPR 285s.

• Artists will respond to projectspecific Calls for Artists and are anticipated to be contracted through organizing partners of DPR 285s.

Budget Range

$20-$60k per project.

Inspiration

Big Basin Art About

The Big Basin Art About began in 2023 with State Parks and supporting partners releasing a Call for Artists and selected 18 Artists to help process the impacts of a dry lightning fire that burned 98% of the park and envision its future with the community. Artists participated in a camping trip with featured experts and guests, following which created a unique art piece in their preferred medium (music, poetry, painting, ceramics, wood carving, photography, mixed media, etc.).

Big Basin Art About organizers are working toward holding a public exhibition, sending pieces on traveling exhibits, and preserving public access to them through permanent installations at the park’s museum, visitor center, or other facility.

Photos from Big Basin Art About courtesy of California State Parks

Park- Specific projects

Cultural Arts Events & Programs

Cultural events and programs infuse resources into the arts community to uplift artists and bring arts programming to the public. Workshops, performances, ephemeral exhibits, tours, and events all create lasting memories and meaningful connections to the landscape. This funding category aims to provide opportunities for parks staff and local artists and organizations to bring these events to life.

Who can propose?

Parks staff will work with partner organizations (including existing cooperative partners) to propose cultural events and programs for submittal to Parks California for grant funding. Cooperating Partners or other nonprofit organizations can be identified in proposals, especially where the partner will lead the planning and implementation of the event/program.

How will partners be engaged?

• Organizational partners may be identified in proposal and would be contracted through On-Call Consultant (PlaceWorks) or DPR 285s.

• Artist engagement process will vary depending upon the project.

Budget Range

$20 - $50k.

Inspiration

Some examples of cultural events and programs can be found in round 1 of funding:

• 4th Annual Community and Unity People’s Kite Festival, Los Angeles SHP.

• Cinco de Mayo, Columbia SHP. (Pictured)

• Growing Together Day 2024, Candlestick Point SRA.

• Poetry in Parks, Multiple parks.

• Special Community Event: Dia de los Muertos, Old Town San Diego SHP.

• Sylvan Sounds, Armstrong Redwoods SNR.

• Unity Through Music, Old Sacramento SHP

Sylvan Sounds Photo Credit: Rael San Fratello

Procession at Los Angeles State Historic Park (2023)

Photo Credit: Fulcrum Arts

Dia de Los Muertos in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park (2023)

Photo Credit: California State Parks

Park- Specific projects Expanding Project Impact

Parks Staff are already operating many great programs. This category of funding is meant to provide additional resources to uplift these programs. State Parks staff can request supplemental funding for things like branding, equipment, and other resources that will amplify existing programs.

To expand reach and impact of existing programs, Staff can propose one project or a grouping of projects, for Arts in California Parks funding. Proposals should demonstrate how projects align with Program Goals and how infusing funding into existing programs will uplift them and connect more visitors to quality arts programming.

In addition to receiving funding, selected projects will be branded and celebrated as part of Arts in California Parks and thus will contribute to overall program recognition and success.

Who can propose?

All Districts/Parks can propose project.

How will partners be engaged?

Partners and artist engagement will vary depending on the project.

Budget Range

$20k - $50k Inspiration

Please refer to the examples included in the cultural arts events and programs section of this handout.

Indoor/Outdoor Facilities Enhancement

Many Districts are in the process of updating infrastructure. Districts can propose incorporating art into existing/ funded infrastructure development projects to make spaces more meaningful and functional. These programs infuse funding into existing programs to uplift them and connect more visitors to quality arts programming

Who can propose?

All Districts and parks can propose projects.

How are partners engaged?

Artists will respond to projectspecific Request for Proposals OR Call for Projects, depending on scale. Organizational partners may be included on artist teams. Contracting method will depend on how artists are engaged.

Ohlone Park facilities mural by Jean Lamarr

Photo Credit: Anne Bron-Crawford

Appendix A- Potential Strategies for Partner Engagement

Poetry in Parks

May

Native American Dance (pilots)

May be engaged for one or more events; not identified in proposal

Event-specific Tribal partners identified by Native Dance Working Group

Contracted through On-Call Consultant (PlaceWorks)

One systemwide Call for Artists; Outreach, selection and artistpark matching supported by Program staff and CAC

One systemwide Request for Proposals; Outreach and selection process supported by Program staff and CAC

Event-specific. Poets and other artists/performers to be engaged by program partners/ event-planning teams.

DPR 285 or contracted through On-Call Consultant (PlaceWorks)

2. Funding

DPR 285

DPR 285 or contracted through On-Call Consultant (PlaceWorks)

Additional and/ or individual artists engaged by Tribal partners

DPR 285 or contracted through Tribal partner

***Artists will be engaged through a Project-Specific Request for Proposals OR Call for Projects, depending on scale. Outreach and selection process supported by Program staff and CAC