Story Story Night hosted by Jodi Eichelberger. Photo by Brooke Burton.

The City of Boise Cultural Ambassador program is designed to share Boise’s cultural and creative community with other cities across the globe and foster connection to global audiences. Acting as Boise’s honorary representative to the world, the Cultural Ambassador engages with national and international audiences through the public expression of culture that helps develop, document, research, share, or reflect upon Boise’s cultural life.

The Boise City Department of Arts & History (A&H) manages the program, and the Boise City Mayor presents the honorific title to the selected Cultural Ambassador. The current Cultural Ambassador is Story Story Night.

Overview

Goals

The goals of the Cultural Ambassador are to:

• Raise awareness of the individual and/or organization and their connection to Boise
• Raise awareness of cultural activities during the term of the ambassadorship
• Expand the cultural impact of the organization on the community
• Encourage promotion around Boise’s cultural life in other cities

Eligibility

• Applicants must be characteristically “Boise”.
• Individuals, nonprofit organizations, other organizations, and businesses may all apply for the Cultural Ambassador program. 
• Successful applicants are required to demonstrate ability and integrity within the artistic, historic, or cultural-based medium; knowledge of Boise’s creative community; and strong commitment to community and education programming.
• The public expression of culture includes: public art, history, performances, exhibits, educational opportunities (presentations/lectures, workshops, walking tours, training, etc.), collaborations, research, planning, and/or analysis.
• In addition to media appearances, the selected Cultural Ambassador will present at least one educational activity per term year that includes, but is not limited to: workshop, class, or other form of community outreach.

Expectations

The City of Boise and Cultural Ambassador will agree on a plan for goals and activities during the term of the award. The Cultural Ambassador program funding will support the agreed upon goals and activities. The City and Cultural Ambassador will meet in the fall of each year during the term to discuss how the money has been and will be spent, as well as make any amendments to the agreement as needed. The Cultural Ambassador will submit a final report on

1. the activities taking place during their ambassadorship
2. the impact the role had on their person or organization
3. any economic benefit that can be seen in the community
4. any activities/events/promotions/publicity held/reported in other cities.

Funding Amount

The City of Boise will award a monetary stipend offered in varying amounts depending on financial availability.

Review Process

• Together with City of Boise staff and Arts & History Commissioner(s), the Mayor reviews and evaluates all Cultural Ambassador applications to make a final recommendation.
• The Cultural Ambassador will be announced on September 21, 2023 at the 2023 Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Arts & History.

Applications are evaluated based on responses to the online application and related attachments and how the following components are addressed:

• Reviewers will look for evidence of skill level and expertise shown within the artistic, historic, or cultural-based medium.
• They will also take into consideration the merit of a project that may be new or untested with potential for expanding or strengthening Boise’s reach.
• Applicants should describe their target audience(s) and whether they will include international audiences
• Applicants should be able to explain the endeavor, anticipate project details, have a plan to handle them, and provide evidence of ability to follow through Marketing and outreach that is tracked and documented, and connects with the target group(s) identified, with efforts to reach those beyond Boise’s limits
• Applicants must demonstrate overall mastery of the budget process, and thorough understanding and explanation of proposal expenses and income.

Application

Appplication is closed. 

Current Recipient

FY 24-25

Story Story Night

Past Recipients

FY 22-23

Boise Contemporary Theater

FY 20-21

MING Studios

FY 18-19

Global Lounge
Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts

2015

Treefort Music Fest
Anthony Doerr

2013

Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Trey Mcintyre Project

2010

Trey Mcintyre Project

The Department of Arts & History is committed to supporting cultural endeavors in the City of Boise without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, political opinion, national origin, familial status, disability, gender identity, and source of income or disability status.