City of Rochester/Monroe County
News Release
(Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024) – The City of Rochester and
Monroe County are seeking artists from underrepresented and underserved
communities to serve on an Artist Engagement Team. The team will work to
develop and implement community engagement strategies for an arts and culture
plan for Rochester and Monroe County which will serve as the blueprint for
investing in and improving the local creative ecosystem. The Rochester 2034
Comprehensive Plan identified an arts and culture plan as one of the actions to
achieve the goal of supporting, growing, and sustaining the creative economy.
“Those facing challenges in accessing community arts
participation opportunities can help us remove those barriers," said Mayor
Evans. “We’re searching for artists to help develop innovative outreach methods
for creative people and arts supporters in Rochester with limited access to
information about available and upcoming arts programs and initiatives.”
To promote equity and inclusivity in the arts, the City will
use a $20,000 grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation and the City’s
Percent for the Arts program to contract with three to four artists who will
assist the Project Team in developing an outreach plan and carrying out
specific outreach and community engagement tactics. Typical work activities
will include tracking participation, documenting feedback, and attending
regular meetings.
“Artists and arts and cultural institutions drive our
creative economy; they make Rochester and Monroe County a more active and
vibrant community. As we build our Arts and Culture Plan, it is imperative that
we engage the very artists whose work allows us to brand ourselves a community
of the arts,” said County Executive Adam Bello, “I am grateful to the Rochester
Area Community Foundation for their generosity and partnership to fund artist
participation and outreach as we build this plan.”
To apply, artists must respond to the City’s Request for
Qualifications, which can be found at www.cityofrochester.gov/arts. Qualified
artists with experience in community engagement or a passion for utilizing
their creative skills for community involvement are encouraged to apply.
Artists from all creative disciplines including literary arts, performing arts,
and visual arts, who reside or have a studio or office in the city of Rochester
are eligible. To determine whether a specific address is located within the
city of Rochester, visit https://maps.cityofrochester.gov/propinfo/.
A virtual information session will take place, 11 a.m.,
Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 via Zoom to provide clarification on, and answer questions
about the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
To review the RFQ, register for the information session, and
submit application, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/arts. Applications must be
submitted by 11:59 PM on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.
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City of Rochester and Monroe County are committed to valuing the arts as an
educational and aesthetic experience, recognizing their crucial role in meeting
broader goals. With a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, both
administrations aspire to create a hope-filled environment where the arts are
accessible to all residents, irrespective of their location or abilities. This
commitment extends to providing support for small organizations and individual
artists, reflecting the diverse tapestry of our communities.