Partnership of federal agencies and national organizations offers workshop funding, technical assistance, and additional resources
The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is issuing a request for proposals to rural communities facing design challenges to host local workshops in 2013. Successful applicants will receive a $7,000 grant and in-kind design expertise and technical assistance valued at $35,000.
Get the Request for Proposals [1].
The deadline for submitting a proposal is Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
CIRD (formerly known as "Your Town") works to help rural communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer enhance their quality of life and economic vitality through facilitated design workshops. The program brings together local leaders, nonprofits, and community organizations with a team of specialists in design, planning, and creative placemaking to address challenges like strengthening economies, enhancing rural character, leveraging cultural assets, and designing efficient housing and transportation systems.
Since the program's inception in 1991, CIRD has convened more than 60 workshops in all regions of the country with results that range from the development of public art plans and business-improvement districts, to funding for the design of waterfront parks and pedestrian-friendly streetscape improvements.
Each community selected to participate in the Institute will receive $7,000 to support planning and hosting a two-day workshop. Communities will be required to provide approximately $7,000 in matching funds (cash or in-kind). CIRD will work with the communities to assemble teams of specialists based on the communities' individual needs. The workshops will be augmented with conference calls and webinar presentations led by experts who will cover topics related to rural design. The calls will also be open to the general public through CommunityMatters.
The new website [1] is a portal for resources on rural design gathered from diverse organizations across the country. It will be a place for interested citizens to connect with one another and get information about improving design in their own communities.
Get the RFP and application guidelines [2]. Selected communities will be announced in May 2013, and the workshops will be held during the summer and fall of 2013.
CIRD will offer three free application-assistance calls to answer questions and guide interested applicants in assembling their proposals. The first of these calls will take place on Wednesday, January 23, the second will take place on Thursday, February 7, and the third will take place on Thursday, February 28, 2013. Participation in each call is free but registration is required. Register [3]
The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design is a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Project for Public Spaces, Inc., along with the Orton Family Foundation and the CommunityMatters® Partnership. A task force of national experts in rural design and planning is also being assembled to help shape the CIRD program.