Strategic Planning Consultant Services

The issuing agency is seeking a strategic planning consultant to develop a comprehensive five-to-seven-year strategy grounded in equity principles and aligned with its mission and vision. The agency needs to establish a partnership framework for State-Local Partners and other networks to increase statewide support for arts and culture. Additionally, the project requires a five-year grants strategy that includes a framework for artistic quality, alongside recommendations for Council committee structures, training, and meetings to support this new grant strategy. The scope of work involves designing and facilitating listening sessions with grantees and applicants from the past three fiscal years. The selected consultant must conduct in-depth individual interviews with agency leadership and hold small group or individual interviews with current Council members in accordance with Bagley-Keene public meeting rules. The consultant will also participate in Strategic Framework Committee meetings as requested, attend and co-present at one to two public Council meetings, and draft the final Strategic Plan with accompanying PowerPoint presentations. Eligible bidders must be onshore organizations based in the United States. The performance of all contracted work will take place offsite over a contract period of one year. The agency has not disclosed a set budget and is looking for proposals to define the financial scope. All questions regarding this opportunity must be submitted no later than June 11, 2026.