Request for Proposals: Redesign & Redevelopment of Explore Indy Arts
Submission Deadline: July 15, 2022
Submit RFP to: indyarts@indyarts.org with the subject line, “Explore Indy Arts RFP.”

ABOUT INDY ARTS COUNCIL
Indy Arts Council is Indianapolis’ arts advocacy and services agency. Their mission is to foster meaningful engagement in the arts by nurturing a culture where artists and arts organizations thrive. Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access is at the heart of our vision of “A Full Creative Life for All.”

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Indy Arts Council is seeking a creative agency or freelance partner to redesign and redevelop our Explore Indy Arts site. Explore Indy Arts launched in November 2021 as a content hub to inspire central Indiana residents to return to their favorite arts and culture traditions or discover new experiences following the canceled events and seasons of 2020.

The mission of Explore Indy Arts is to serve up a robust, seamless experience that leads site visitors to actively engage in arts and culture events and programs throughout Marion County (attend events, purchase tickets, register for programs, learn about artists and local organizations, etc.).

Proposed content for the site includes:
● Curated event listings and guides based on users’ interests/behavior.
● A refreshed/updated public art directory, artist directory, and comprehensive, user-generated
events guide (currently exists on the Artsopolis platform within Indyarts.org.)
● An Indianapolis arts & culture organization directory.
● Arts & culture blog with engaging, timely content and news.

SCOPE & DELIVERABLES
It’s important that this site is intuitive and responsive so that staff can easily adapt and refine based on metrics and current needs. Explore Indy Arts is built in Webflow, but the Council are open to other options.

The goals for the new Explore Indy Arts website are to:
● Increase traffic.
● Engage key audiences with compelling content and campaigns.
● Connect businesses, organizations, arts patrons, and event planners to Indy artists.
● Build awareness of the Indy Arts Council’s mission.

The Indy Arts Council anticipates key deliverables to include:
PHASE 1 (August 2022 – November 2022):
● Research/discovery with key stakeholders.
● Concepts and frameworks.
● Input into content strategy.
● Design and development.
● Some copywriting.
● Photography and video.
● Art direction.
● SEO optimization.
● Project management.
Additionally, the Council would like to build into the revised site more sophisticated features for capturing audience data, responding to user behaviors, and monitoring effectiveness.

PHASE 2 (December 2022 – January 2023):
● An update and refresh of the existing public art, artist, and user-generated event directories (noted in “Project Summary” section).

BUDGET
The design and development of this website is being supported through American Rescue Plan Act funding administered through the City of Indianapolis. The budget is $75,000.

PROJECT TIMELINE
● June 23: RFP released
● July 15: RFP responses due
● July 25: Top candidates notified for interviews
● August 1-5: Conduct candidate interviews
● Week of August 8: Final candidate selection
● Week of August 15: Project kick-off meeting
The remainder of the timeline is flexible based on the recommendations of the selected partner and the targeted PHASE 1 launch date of November 21, 2022.

RFP SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The Indy Arts Council requests the following information by July 15, 2022:
● A description of your agency and core competencies/services, and why you are a good fit for the Arts Council.
● Summaries of 2-3 case studies that show insights and results achieved for your clients.
● A high-level description of your proposed approach to this scope of work.
● References for relevant work that may be contacted.

SELECTION PROCESS
● Members of the Arts Council leadership team will review all responses.
● The Arts Council CEO and marketing team will interview a maximum of three finalists to discuss qualifications and invite perspective on the scope and approach.

QUESTIONS AND SUPPORT
Please email any questions to Amanda Kingsbury, director of marketing and communications, at akingsbury@indyarts.org. The RFP should be submitted to indyarts@indyarts.org with the subject line, “Explore Indy Arts RFP.” Thank you for your interest!