Introduction

The Minneapolis American Indian Center (“MAIC”) is seeking proposals from qualified
and experienced professional videographers to document our work in conducting
research on the background and history of the Native American population in the Twin
Cities. The footage will be utilized in the interpretive planning process which tells the
story of the MAIC.

Project Overview

The MAIC is at a transformative point in its history due in part, to fulfilling the first phase
of its mission to providing a newly renovated safe space to offer resources for the
Indigenous community. The facility marks a major milestone in the organization’s history
with its completion. This project specifically aims to create an Interpretation Plan to
engage the broader public and further foster awareness and understanding about our
Native community who has utilized the MAIC since its inception in 1974. This work will
involve capturing high-quality footage and producing a final polished video outlining the
research. The videographer will work closely with the historian(s) to document
interviews with relevant community members, leaders, and stakeholders to explore
contemporary Indigenous histories, locally, and connect people through their
experiences.

The MAIC is undertaking this project to document the historical development of the
Native American population in the Twin Cities as it relates to the formation of the MAIC,
the American Indian Movement, and within the American Indian Cultural Corridor. The
selected videographer will be responsible for filming community meetings and
documenting oral history interviews. This work will culminate into a comprehensive
report towards developing an implementation strategy for an Interpretation Plan.

Objectives

• Capture the research and heritage preservation work in regard to Native
  American traditional knowledge, neighborhood identity, cultural, economic,
  political, social, and oral histories of the Twin Cities.
• Support a commitment that encourages and uplifts cultural continuity and
  authentic representation of Native American histories.
• Respect the participants for sharing their stories and knowledge for the
  betterment of the community and the urban Native experience as contributors to
  the archives of the MAIC.
• Participate in the overall Interpretive Planning process that tells the story of the
  Indigenous cultural landscape as it relates to the community and development of
  the MAIC.

Scope of Work

The videographer will be expected to:

• Present findings to stakeholders through public forums and community
  gatherings.
• Collaborate with project staff to ensure historical accuracy and relevance
• Coordinate and cooperate with facility staff, historian(s) on production to ensure
  the content accurately reflects the project.
• Shoot on site any MAIC event, workshop, or community gatherings related to the
  interpretation project.
• Provide all equipment and staffing necessary for a successful shoot.
• Provide all video editing, with the final videos rendered in high-quality for both
  web and television broadcasting.
• Provide final videos in a video format compatible with the MAIC website and
  social media outlets.
• Provide creative and professional guidance to ensure a high-quality product is
  produced during each shoot.
• Work cooperatively with multiple MAIC staff, historian(s), and community
  members, stakeholders, and city partners.
• Meet established deadlines for projects.

Deliverables

• Electronic high-resolution and web-friendly format video footage through pre-agreed upon cloud storage platform.
• Raw footage and materials developed during, and after will be the sole property
  of the MAIC archives and to be delivered via hard drives or flash media.
• Provide creative direction and professional settings/backdrops that incorporate
  the project’s theme.
• Public presentations and or lectures.
• Attend community meetings with elders, partners, stakeholders, and program staff.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated experience with film documentation concerning Native
  American/American Indian/First Nations/Indigenous communities.
• Experience documenting oral history interviews or working collaboratively with
  oral historians in Native communities.
• Knowledge of the American Indian Movement; population of the Twin Cities and
  the American Indian Cultural Corridor of Minneapolis.
• Knowledge of Native American/American Indian/First Nations/Indigenous oral
  history methodologies, including cultural protocols and ethical considerations to
  informed consent.

Proposal Requirements

Interested applicants must submit a proposal that includes:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
• Summary of qualifications, staff capabilities, and proposed responsibilities
• Work Plan and Timeline
  • Outline key milestones and a timeline for completion
  • Budget
  • Provide a detailed cost estimate, including fees, travel, and other
    expenses
• Video Sample
  • 3-5 samples of previous work relevant to this project
• References
  • 3 professional references
• Complete list of video equipment available to produce the requested services

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance and depth of experience (30%)
• Quality of proposed methodology (30%)
• Proposed budget (20%)
• Writing quality and clarity (10%)
• References (10%)

Submission Details

• Proposals must be submitted no later than May 26 at 5:00 p.m.
• Submit proposals via email/mail to: tworivers@maicnet.org

The Minneapolis American Indian Center reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and is not obligated
to contract with any applicant. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
The MAIC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate regarding race,
color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry,
disability, age, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, public assistance
status, or membership/activity in local human rights commission.