Round 9 Review ~
Instructions for 2015 Cultural Districts Review Panel
Thank you all for agreeing to review the 9th round of Cultural District applications.
Color copies of the 3 new applications, 3 requests for boundary changes, and 1 request for a name
change (the name change request is filed in the Boundary Change folder) are posted for online review
or download at–
http://www.crt.la.gov/downloads/cultural-districts/2015%20CD%20Applications/
I urge you to use the posted versions if you can, to enjoy the maximum quality of the color maps and
photographs provided with the original applications. There are three folders with the following
contents:
2015 Cultural District Applications- 3 Applications in PDF
2015 Requests for Boundary Changes- 3 Boundary Change Requests in PDF
2015 Instructions and Scoring toolsPanel Instructions and 2015Panel Score Sheet
A blank Application Form and Instructions (FYI)
CD Program Implementation Guidelines (FYI)
I will be glad to mail a black and white packet of the applications, instructions, and a score sheet to
your mailing address on the LSAC list, if you prefer. Sometimes it is easier to have a hard copy to
work on at your convenience. However, the electronic version is posted, so you don’t have to wait to
look over the applications and get started.
You have a little more than a week to read and score the applications. Send me your completed score
sheet by the end of day Wednesday, March 25. Please include your notes and comments about the
applications, especially anything that strikes as a particular strength or weakness. Your scores and
written notes are used to decide which applications will be accepted. They are very helpful compiling
responses to applicants and for evaluating and refining program procedures.
Please make pertinent notes as you score.
Attached is an electronic copy of the score sheet so you can key in your scores and comments and
email back to me. If you prefer you can write your scores and comments by hand and fax them to me
(225-219-9772 fax). There is a Notes sheet in case you want to make additional comments by hand as
you review read each application. Your impressions, justifications, and notes are appreciated in any
form.
Review Team Call, March 26, 10 AM–I will send you a call-in phone number for a conference call
to discuss each application, share highlights, concerns, and comments that will contribute to the team’s
recommendation to the Assistant Secretary, before the final recommendation to approve or not is made
to the Lt Governor.
Please contact me if you have any questions, or if there are problems or omissions in the postings.
Once again, thank you all for contributing your valuable time to this project.
Gaye Hamilton, 225-342-8161, ghamilton@crt.la.gov
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Cultural District Certification Considerations
The Cultural District Application form asks for specific information organized by section that relates
to criteria required for certification. The score sheet is designed to help you rate each application in
five major areas of information requested:
Feature Data – (Section II, A-C) Requested information includes a physical description of the
designated boundaries, demographics, approximate number of buildings and usage, physical
information, elected representative districts, and is supported by maps and photographs. The goal is to
create a “picture” of the proposed district. Score based on how well you can visualize each district.
Cultural Assets – (Section II, D) Applicant is asked to list existing cultural assets, businesses, and
organizations including arts and cultural activities both year round and seasonal. The purpose is to
understand the cultural nature of the district and evaluate the potential cultural development.
Score based on number and variety of existing assets, considering the size of the community.
Program Objectives – (Section III) In three brief narratives the applicant should show what the
proposed CD will do to in regard to these areas of development if certified:
A.) Artistic/Cultural, B.) Community Development, and C.) Economic Development.
Score on how well the plans related to these three areas are presented, and the potential to fulfill them.
Outreach and Organization– (Section IV) Applicant is to supply two concise narratives describing
how the proposed CD will manage A.) Communication and Promotion for the CD, and B.)
Organization of the CD to set goals, manage, and implement plans.
Score on how well plans for communications and organization are presented.
Government/Community Support – (Section V) Applicant should provide evidence of efforts to
inform constituents and get buy-in from stakeholders as well as endorsement from the local governing
authority and other community support. Please note that we can accept the required resolution from
the local governing authority late, so do not penalize if the resolution is not singed. Some resolutions
are scheduled for hearing this month, so are missing from the application or boundary change request.
Score on how well government and community support are engaged.
Use a standard “1 to 10” rating system to score each of the five areas, with one (1) being minimal /
poor, (5) to (6) being adequate / average / acceptable, and (10) being succinct / complete / excellent.
The total scores will be an indication of how well each application addresses and meets the overall
criteria of the Cultural District program. Your scores should reflect how well you believe the
application presents the community assets, the potential and likelihood to develop assets and
programs, and plans for the proposed Cultural District.
Your comments regarding specific shortfalls in any of the sections as well as your impression of how
well each proposed district meets the criteria are equally appropriate.
Please complete the enclosed paper copy of the CD Score Sheet or the electronic version emailed to
you, and return to me by Wednesday, March 25, 2015. The total and average overall scores along with
your note will determine whether the application will be recommended for certification.
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