Birmingham City Schools (BCS) seeks multiple community arts education partners to bring the joy of the arts to their students at the 5 schools selected to be a part of the Governor's Turnaround Schools Initiative They look forward to welcoming Teaching Artists and Arts Organizations that create, increase, and deepen arts-based experiences as part of their school’s Turnaround Schools Action Plan and that can demonstrate measurable progress toward positive student outcomes. Across all 5 schools, on-campus programs (think: artist residencies, in school classes, performances, and more), some off-campus experiences (field trips!), and all art forms including visual art, film, textile arts, music, theatre, dance, creative writing, and media arts and the subdisciplines within each are desired. 

Birmingham City Schools is partnering with the Arts Collab for this initiative and have prioritized increasing access to community arts partners who support each school's unique goals. The Arts Collab is working with each school to define school needs through arts education. The goal is to develop a team of community arts partners at each school.

Read more about the Governor's Initiative for Turnaround Schools here

About the Arts Collab's Role

The Arts Collab is partnering with BCS to increase comprehensive arts education access at each of the 5 Turnaround Schools. That includes accessing multiple community arts partners - we need all of us in order to make a difference for students! The Arts Collab is facilitating the RFP process by helping to define school needs and create mechanisms for partners to submit proposals. The Arts Collab will also be providing planning, monitoring, professional development, and community engagement support to the 5 schools throughout this project.

The Arts Collab is a proud part of Amp Up Arts, a collective impact initiative of the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Amp Up Arts focuses on statewide development of arts education for preK-12 public schools through networking, advocacy, and professional development of teachers and teaching artists. 

Click each school's "LEARN MORE" link below to read about their goals and desires for this initiative. This will also take you to the form to submit a proposal. Then, partners have two choices to submit a proposal. Partners will need to select one:

a) Complete the Proposal Submission Form (recommended) -OR-

b) Prepare and upload a PDF narrative of no more the 2 pages that answers all prompts via the provided link

Who is eligible?

Teaching Artists and arts organizations in the Greater Birmingham area of Alabama providing quality arts education programming that yields positive student outcomes are invited to submit proposals. All proposals must have a strong arts education focus while responding to school needs. Additionally, partners must meet all of the following eligibility requirements for the current opportunities at BCS Turnaround Schools:

• You understand that selected partners will liaise with schools directly to coordinate scheduling, logistics, and any other details to implement programs. Partners must possess the capacity that is often required to effectively and directly navigate potential challenges of coordination inherent in educational settings.

• As part of the Governor’s Turnaround Schools initiative, you will submit a final program report to the school that outlines activities, student outcomes, and sample student work.

• You understand that payment will be made by Birmingham City Schools. Selected partners will need to complete a W9, required district forms and documents, and show identification for entry to perform services. You also understand proposed services are expected to be completed before any payment or partial payment is rendered.

• You or your organization do not currently have $50,000 or more in approved, combined, outstanding, or pending contracts, payments, or invoices with Birmingham City Schools in the current year.

• If you have previously been selected for and implemented a program as part of a BCS Turnaround Arts initiative at any of the 5 BCS Turnaround Schools, you certify that you've submitted your final report(s). If you haven't been selected, this requirement doesn't apply.

If I was selected last year, do I need to submit another proposal for the upcoming school year?
Yes.

What expenses does the total cost need to include?

The total cost needs to include all expenses to the school including any program fees, materials, and supplies.

What are the partner expectations?

Partners will need to complete a W9, required district forms, and show identification for entry to perform services. As part of the Governor’s Turnaround Schools Initiative, selected partners will be required to submit written reports of program outcomes and progress to the school and participate in partnership progress meetings which will be scheduled closer to the school year. Partners are expected to have a plan to document and submit such materials before applying and be available to attend progress meetings. Partners are expected to work with schools directly to coordinate scheduling, logistics, and any other details to implement selected programs. Payment will be made after all proposed services are rendered.

Can I submit a proposal for a new or existing program?

Partners may apply with existing programs or create new programs tailored to school goals and needs as articulated on through the "Learn More + Submit" links under each school below. 

Can I apply to multiple schools?

Partners may submit proposals to multiple schools, though please be aware that total expenses to BCS $15,000 and over may be subject to Alabama bid law and additional levels of district approval or procedures including proof of sole source services. More information on this topic is expected soon, though you are encouraged to submit multiple proposals if desired the meantime. You must submit a proposal to each individual school that you'd like to be considered for.

What proposal formats are they accepting?

Proposals may be submitted by either 1) responding to the prompts on the Proposal Submission Form -OR- 2) by uploading a written proposal in PDF format of no more that 2 pages in length via the upload link provided. The choice is up to you. Click "Learn More + Submit" below for the link to submit a proposal.

What is the selection process?

Proposals will be selected by school leadership and evaluated based on the degree of alignment to project goals, school needs, student needs, school culture, and projected outcomes. Proposal decisions will be made by BCS personnel only, and therefore feedback regarding unselected proposals cannot be guaranteed.

What is the process for payment?

Payment will be made directly to partners from BCS. If you are not already a vendor with BCS, complete BCS Vendor Application and W-9 Form and remit to purchasing@bhm.k12.al.us. Partners will then need to submit an invoice via email to Ms. Alston in the Cirriculum and Instruction department at malston4@bhm.k12.al.us and cc ajemision@bhm.k12.al.us AND a representative from the Arts Collab. Please note that payment will be made after services are rendered.

1:1 Support

Ginger and Eric from the Arts Collab Team are happy to meet 1:1 to support you in your proposal preparation process as we are available through June 21. Note that it may become difficult to schedule a time to meet as we get closer to the proposal deadlines, so book early. Please reach out to us if you'd like some assistance! 

• Contact Ginger Lindsey, Senior Consultant at programs@birminghamartsed.org. Ginger loves talking with partners about curriculum, integrating standards, or program design that meets school needs.

• Contact Eric Marable Jr., Project Coordinator at ejmarable@birminghamartsed.org for program design or proposal preparation support.

What are Standards + How to Integrate them into your Programming

Developed by Arts Education Collaboratives, learn fundamental education language, how to access academic and arts education standards, and how to enrich your education programs. This free toolkit is perfect for developing common language with educators and taking your arts education program development to a new level. Designed for Alabama artists, organizations, and informal educators. Access this resource.

Arts Partner Outcome Planning Organizer

Having a plan and knowing where you want to go before you start is important! Use this document to organize your plan to monitor and document your program's outcomes.

Alabama Course of Study Standards in Arts Education

Encompassing the disciplines of dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts, the arts in education program provides opportunities for students to explore the artistic processes of these disciplines while making connections to all subject areas. To emphasize the importance of the arts for Alabama students, the Alabama Course of Study in Arts Education provides rigorous standards for all students in Grades K-12. Learn more.

National Teaching Artists Guild

Teaching Artists Guild (TAG), is a practitioner-led community which raises the visibility and development of artists who teach. Find resources made by Teaching Artists for Teaching Artists, a payrate calculator, and more. Learn more.

The Kennedy Center

Kennedy Center Education offers a wide array of resources and experiences that inspire, excite, and empower students and young artists, plus the tools and connections to help educators incorporate the arts into classrooms of all types. Learn more.