Round 11 Review ~

Instructions for 2017 Cultural Districts Review Panel

Thank you all for agreeing to review the 11th round of Cultural District applications.

Color copies of the 6 new applications and 2 boundary changes are posted for online review or download at–

http://www.crt.la.gov/downloads/cultural-districts/2017CDApplications/

I urge you to use the posted versions if you can, to enjoy the maximum quality of the color maps and photographs provided with the original applications. There are three folders with the following contents:

2017 Applications– 6 Applications

2017 Boundary Changes– 2 Boundary Changes

2017 Instructions and Scoring Tools-

Panel Instructions and 2017 Panel Score Sheet

A blank Application Form and Instructions (FYI)

CD Program Implementation Guidelines (FYI)

Let me know ASAP if you prefer, I will mail you black and white paper copies, instructions, and score sheets. Please send your mailing address if you want a hard copy mailed.

You have a little more than a week to read and score the applications. Send me your completed score sheet by 9AM on Monday, March 27. Please include your notes and comments about the applications, especially anything that strikes you as a particular strength or weakness. Reviewer’s notes are very helpful in compiling responses to applicants and for evaluating and refining program procedures.

Please complete the CD Score Sheet, and return to me by 9AM before the call at 10AM on Monday, March 27. The total and average overall scores along with your notes and comments during the conference call will determine whether the application will be recommended for certification.

There is a Notes sheet in case you want to make additional comments by hand as you read each application. Your impressions, justifications, and notes are appreciated in any form.

Review Team Call, March 27, 10 AM– Call-in number– 712-432-0390, passcode– 843771#

Join the conference call to discuss each application, share highlights, concerns, and comments that will contribute to the team’s recommendation to the Assistant Secretary, before the final recommendation is sent to the Lt Governor.

Please contact me, 225-342-8161, if you have any questions, or if there are problems or omissions in the postings. Once again, thank you all for contributing your valuable time to this project.

Cultural District Certification Considerations

The Cultural District Application form asks for specific information organized by section that relates to specific criteria required for certification. The score sheet is designed to help you rate each application in five major areas:

Boundary/Feature Data – (page 3-4, 6) Requested information includes a physical description of the designated boundaries, demographics, approximate number of buildings and usage, physical information, elected representative districts, and is supported by maps. The goal is to create a “picture” of the proposed district. Score based on how well you can visualize each district.

Cultural Assets/Photos – (page 5, 6) Applicant is asked to list existing cultural assets, businesses, and organizations including arts and cultural activities, both year round and seasonal, supported by photographs. The purpose is to understand the cultural nature of the district and evaluate the potential cultural development.

Score based on number and variety of existing assets, considering the size of the community.

Program Objectives – (page 6-7) In three brief narratives the applicant should show what the proposed CD will do to in regard to these areas of development if certified:

A.)  Artistic/Cultural, B.) Community Development, and C.) Economic Development.

Score on how well the plans related to these three areas are presented, and the potential to fulfill them.

Outreach and Organization– (page 8) Applicant is to supply two concise narratives describing how the proposed CD will manage A.) Communication and Promotion for the district, and B.) Organization of the district, to set goals, manage, and implement plans.

Score on how well plans for communications and organization are presented, and the potential to implement.

Government/Community Support – (page 9) Applicant should provide evidence of efforts to inform constituents and get buy-in from stakeholders as well as endorsement from the local governing authority and other community support. Please note that we can accept the required resolution from the local governing authority late, so do not penalize if the resolution is not signed.

Score on how well government and community support are engaged.

Use a standard “1 to 10” rating system to score each of the five areas, with one (1) being minimal / poor, (5) to (6) being adequate / average / acceptable, and (10) being succinct / complete / excellent. Your scores should reflect how well you believe the application presents the community assets, the likelihood to develop assets and programs, and plans for the proposed Cultural District. Your comments regarding specific shortfalls in any of the sections as well as your impression of how well each proposed district meets the criteria are equally important.

There are three possible outcomes- Approve, Approve with Conditions, and Decline Approval.

There is a period of Conditional Approval, early April through mid June, for all applications recommended for certification. During that period the applicant must provide a Business List and begin to implement a Communication Plan. The period of Conditional Approval can also be used to address concerns or weaknesses identified by the review team needed to strengthen the application in order to achieve final certification. If all conditional requirements are met, final certification will be effective July 1. Applications that are declined can apply again with no penalty or prejudice.

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