Agency Education Department

Contractor Upstream Arts

SWIFT Contract Number 249862

Project Name art educator professional development on accessibility in art

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: Plan and facilitate a 1-day in-person professional development offering on June 24, 2024 for up to 30 culturally responsive arts education (CRAE) Cohort members titled “Art of Access for Arts Educators”. In addition, the Contractor planned and facilitated a 3-day in-person professional development offering on August 13, 14, and 15, 2024 for up to 30 arts educators on “Accessibility, Inclusion, and Community in the Arts Classroom”.

Project Duration

Start Date Fri, 06/14/2024 - 00:00

Original end date Sun, 08/18/2024 - 00:00

Actual end date Sun, 08/18/2024 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $26500.00

Amendments $0.00

Contract total $26500.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? federal

Is this a sole source contract? Yes

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) received a five-year Federal Department of Education Assistance for Arts Educators grant in 2021. This federal grant is focused on developing culturally responsive and anti-racist arts education curriculum, practices, and policies. As a part of this program MDE has identified accessibility/disability in arts education as a focus for professional develop offered to teachers based on needs in the field.
Upstream Arts uses the power of the creative arts to activate and amplify the voice and choice of individuals with disabilities. This is a single sole source because Upstream Arts is the only organization of its kind to provide this type of professional learning focused on the arts and disability in a K-12 setting. There are vendors that offer arts training with a focus on disabilities and inclusivity, however none of these organizations provide professional development to K-12 teachers in this focus area. The vendor needs to have the capacity to train K-12 arts teachers and this was the only vendor with this comprehensive skillset. Additionally, an understanding of specific contexts and nuance of education in Minnesota and intersectional identities of students here is important to this training.

Evaluator Name Alina Campana

Evaluator Email Address Alina.Campana@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness very satisfactory

Evaluate the contractor's quality very satisfactory

Evaluate the contractor's cost very satisfactory

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance very satisfactory

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): NA

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 5 - very satisfied