Art Starts Social Enterprise – Feasibility Study Request for Proposals
Art Starts is an arts-based community development organization operating throughout
Toronto. TThey use the arts as a vehicle to encourage social change in underserved and
stressed communities by offering responsive and relevant creative opportunities. They connect
professional artists with Toronto residents of all ages. Together they use all artistic media to
create projects and programs that build capacity & skills, celebrate communities, foster
collaboration and respond to local needs and aspirations.
Background
For twenty years Art Starts has combined the best practices of hands-on community
consultation with a collaborative art-making approach and sound organizational and
administrative support. The course of their history has seen Art Starts evolve from a small
drop-in storefront model to a multi-site model. They operate 5 Toronto sites whose programs
are as distinct as the communities they serve.
With a 2010 move to a large studio space in the Lower Level of Yorkdale Mall – the
Yorkdale Community Arts Centre - Art Starts began exploring options for running a social
enterprise that would
a) increase unrestricted revenues,
b) capitalize on our new, well-equipped space and
c) be well aligned with Art Starts convictions, expertise and assets.
To that end the organization would like to develop a social enterprise that would offer
artist-led corporate/organizational team building workshops.
Art Starts is now seeking proposals from qualified consultants to research and write a
feasibility study exploring the viability of this business enterprise.
The Idea
Art Starts would like to offer arts-based team-building workshops to businesses and
organizations wishing to offer their staff a creative, accessible, practical and fun retreat
within the city.
The workshops, each designed to build healthier, more cohesive and productive work
environments, would be led by professional artists currently on Art Startsʼ roster. Clients
would choose from a variety of artistic disciplines (e.g. visual art, music, dance or
theatre) and workshops would be designed to address workplace issues such as
integration of new employees, team cohesiveness, improved creative thinking skills, etc.
Scope of Feasibility Study
Deliverables:
The Consultant will research and write a feasibility study for the proposed social
enterprise that includes the following:
1. External Analysis
The Consultant will:
- Determine whether there is a market for this service;
- Provide an understanding of the competition and Art Starts’ positioning
within that context; and
- Recommend opportunities and strategies to market the enterprise.
2. Internal Analysis
The Consultant will:
- Determine the extent to which the enterprise fits within the current
organizational structure; and
- Identify any additional staffing needs, skills and competencies needed to
ensure that this enterprise is successful.
3. Risk Management Plan
The Consultant will:
-Identify financial, operational, HR and brand risks associated with the
enterprise, and recommend strategies to mitigate them.
4. Financial Potential of the Enterprise
The Consultant will:
-Analyze the profitability of this enterprise, and identify how much revenue
it will contribute to Art Starts;
-Identify start-up costs and initial investment needed to launch enterprise;
and
-Recommended pricing points for the service.
5. Performance Measures
The Consultant will:
-Recommend performance metrics and indicators to track success of
enterprise.
-Next Steps and Recommended Project Timeline
Timeframe and Key Dates
May 22, 2012: RFP posted
June 8, 2012: Deadline for submission
June 25, 2012: Project start date
August 30th, 2012: Project completion
Proposal Submission:
In submitting your proposal, please include the following:
• Description of your previous experience and your qualifications to help us determine
if you are the right consultant for this project
• Your resume
-A brief overview of your understanding of the scope and requirements of the project
including a workplan/schedule
-A budget for the total cost of the work, including all personnel, materials, and other
expenditures including taxes. The budget range is $8,000-$9,500.
-Two references
Please submit your proposal by Friday June 8th at 5pm to:
hr@artstarts.net with “RFP Social Enterprise” in the subject line of your email
Categories: Call for Submissions, Ideas, Projects, Research and Reports
