The mission of the NACDC is to assure a vibrant thriving North Akron Community that inspires and connects its residents while celebrating its unique diversity by focusing on the following areas of impact: (1) business and economic development, (2) physical infrastructure and beautification, and (3) social and informational events and programming. The NACDC also owns and operates the Exchange House, a public space that celebrates cultures and cultivates community capacity through partnerships, programming, and built environment.

The NACDC is seeking the services of a community member, maker, or artist to activate the North East corner of Howard Street and East Cuyahoga Falls Avenue in North Hill through a community-engaged project. The selected leader will be expected to survey and mobilize residents in the surrounding neighborhood, and to create and implement a project that activates the small lot of land in a way that is reflective and respectful of the community. The NACDC is not looking for one type of project in particular — it could be a visual arts exhibition, performance, event, festival, social gathering, garden, physical structure, etc.

After the application closes, the top 3 projects chosen by the NACDC will be released publicly for a vote by the surrounding neighborhood. The project with the most votes will be notified by end of April, with an expectation of finishing it by October 2020. The project has a budget of $10,000.

The Request for Proposal timeline is as follows:

RFP deadline EXTENDED: March 1, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Selection of Top Applicants: March 25, 2020
Neighborhood Voting Closes: April 27, 2020
Contract Notification: April 29, 2020

To submit your proposal, go to https://forms.gle/ygoeTVacAYZAwyaPA or email exchangehouseakron@gmail.com for questions.