RFP: Minnesota Dance Task Force Facilitator

Project Description

To work with Minnesota Dance Task Force (MNDTF aka Task Force) members to plan and facilitate a series of community meetings meant to gather information from the dance community about their current experiences, needs and dreams.  The desired outcome from those meetings is to generate a framework and implementation steps for the creation of a service organization to support Minnesota dance artists and intentionally move toward an equitable dance ecosystem. 

To accomplish these objectives, the Task Force has identified a two-phased process. It includes:

Phase I:  Three small-community focus groups, identical in format to gather broad and deep input about the community’s desires from a service organization.  These meetings will be held in a variety of locations in the state.

Phase II:  Two larger community-wide meetings to review those needs and identify a strategy for moving forward, which we project will include identifying a Steering Committee to spearhead that work.  These meetings will be hosted by The McKnight Foundation.

It is expected that this work will be completed between January and July 2025.  A detailed timeline is included below. 

The Role of the Facilitator will include:

• To direct the planning meetings with MNDTF members.
• To facilitate the community meetings in Phase I and II.
• To set parameters of trust and honesty in the meetings to support a safer space for expression and inclusion.  
• To compile, write and share summary document of those meetings. (2 documents).

The Role of the MN Dance Task Force will include:

• To work with the Facilitator to plan for all community meetings.
• To promote the meetings to the broader dance community, ensuring the meetings reflect a large variety of constituencies (race, age, dance style, geographic locations, etc.) through building trust and intentional outreach. 
• To attend the community meetings.
• To read, respond to and act upon the summary documents provided by Facilitator.

Qualifications of the Facilitator

A qualified Facilitator will be expected to have knowledge of and experience with:

• facilitating group processes and gathering and analyzing information from diverse perspectives.
• the performing arts community in the state, preferably including specific knowledge of the dance community.
• How historical oppressions influence power in the room and facilitating conversations towards a more just and equitable process.

To Submit an RFP

The Task Force is requesting proposals from individuals or firms interested in managing and facilitating this community-based process to address these objectives.  The proposal should include:

• relevant qualifications and experience,
• proposed process and tools, and
• anticipated challenges.

The anticipated budget range for this project is $5,000 – $8,000.

Additional funds can be provided for necessary travel within the state.

Interested Individuals or firms should submit a proposal by December 15th to MNDanceTaskForce@gmail.com. Questions can also be directed to the same email address. 

Timeline

The projected timeline for this project is as follows:

• November 8, 2024: Distribution of  RFP complete
• December 15: Deadline to receive applications
• January 2025: Interview select applicants
• February 2025: Planning meetings for Phase I
• March: Promote Phase I meetings
• April: Hold Phase I focus group meetings
• May: Facilitator writes and shares summary document
• June: Planning meeting for Phase II
  Promote Phase II meetings
• July: Hold Phase II consensus and strategy meetings
• July: Facilitator writes and shares summary document (8hrs)
• *August 2025-July 2026: Explore feasibility and framework of entity

*This work will likely involve an additional RFP that would be formulated out of the input gathered during Phase II Community meetings.

Background

The Minnesota Dance Task Force (MNDTF) emerged from several community gatherings convened following the announced closure of the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts. Spearheaded by the dance community, two of those meetings were organized with assistance from the Minneapolis Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs staff and attended by Minneapolis City Council members, Mayor Jacob Frey, and staff from several area foundations.  Others were organized by and for dance community members. 

Launched in July, the Task Force holds bi-monthly meetings that are open to all community members. Meeting minutes and announcements are distributed on the DanceMN online newsletter which is distributed free to all subscribers. 

At its meeting on July 15th the Task Force stated its intent to work toward the development of a service organization/entity for the dance community.  This new service organization will be based on the constituency and needs of today’s dance community in Minnesota while drawing from the experience of the former Minnesota Dance Alliance as well as current discipline-based service organizations such as The Loft, The Playwrights’ Center, the Minnesota Composers’ Forum, Northern Clay, Highpoint, Center for Fire Arts, and others.