Request for Expressions of Interest: BC Museums Association New Strategic Plan
The BC Museums Association (BCMA) is a province-wide network of more than 450 members representing museums, galleries, heritage sites, Indigenous cultural centres, and more. Since 2016 the BCMA has followed a core strategic plan while making small, annual iterations to reflect our members’ evolving needs.
The current strategic plan has supported tremendous growth and evolution for the BCMA over the past 6 years, but at the same time as both the BCMA and the museum and cultural heritage sector continue to grow and evolve, the world of 2016 feels increasingly removed from the world of 2022.
We are requesting submissions of interest from strategic planning consultants to help the BCMA develop a new path forward, one that reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing both our organization and the museum sector, and charts a bold vision for a bright future.
Who We Are Looking For
The BCMA is looking to work with innovative consultants who have a deep passion for museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, an understanding of BC’s arts, culture, and heritage sector, and a commitment to furthering reconciliation, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to develop a bold vision for the future of BCMA that innovates upon our past and status quo and creates a new paradigm for Canadian arts, culture, and heritage service organizations.
We also encourage collaborative applications and expressions of interest from emerging consultants with boundary-pushing, outside-the-box ideas. Expressions of interest from consultants and/or organizations with knowledge of the history of Canada’s arts, culture, and heritage sector and experience supporting reconciliation, social justice, and equity will be given priority.
Scope of Work
The BCMA anticipates the planning process beginning in summer 2022 with a goal of developing a new strategic plan to be in place for the Association’s next fiscal year starting April 1, 2023.
Ideally, the consultant(s) would be available to attend an in-person meeting (public health orders permitting) of the BCMA board of directors in June 2022 and begin to work with BCMA’s board, staff, and Indigenous Advisory Committee to establish key goals and dates for the strategic planning process.
The BCMA is planning an in-person conference (public health orders permitting) in late October 2022; this will provide a good opportunity to engage BCMA members and stakeholders in the strategic planning process.
In order for the new strategic plan to be approved in advance of our next fiscal year, the work would need to be completed no later than December 31, 2022.
The consultant(s) will produce a final report outlining their recommendations for a new multi-year strategic plan for the BCMA.
Estimated Timeline of Work:
- April – May: Expressions of interest are received
- Late May: Contractor(s) selected
- Mid-June: Contractor(s) attends in-person board meeting
- June – August: Contractor(s) reviews BCMA Business Plan and current Strategic Plan in depth, conducts research, virtually meets with BCMA board, staff, and stakeholders
- Late October: Contractor(s) attends in-person conference
- October – December: Contractor(s) finalizes report and recommendations
Funding Available
As a not-for-profit organization, the BCMA relies on grant funding to support new projects and critical aspects of our work. We value open communication and encourage interested consultants/organizations to provide feedback on what resources they need for this project. At present, the BCMA can commit up to $15,000 to fund the strategic planning process.
How to Submit Your Expression of Interest
To submit your expression of interest, please email bcma@museum.bc.ca with the following information:
- A link to your professional website and/or a CV;
- 1-3 examples of past strategic planning work;
- A cost estimate to work with the BCMA board, staff, and members to produce a new strategic plan.
This request will remain open until a consultant or organization is found, but since we hope to begin this work in June 2022, we encourage interested parties to submit their expression of interest by May 10, 2022.
Click here for a downloadable PDF of this request for expressions of interest.
