(a) The Division of Festivals is established within the Department of Tourism and is headed by a director. The Commissioner of Tourism, with the approval of the Governor, shall appoint the director and three assistant directors; one for each island, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. The Director of Tourism shall choose the director of the Division of Festivals on the basis of knowledge of and familiarity with coordinating incentives for, and planning and promoting festivals. The director of the Division of Festivals shall serve under the direction and control of the Commissioner of Tourism. The Commissioner of Tourism may employ such other persons as may be necessary to administer this section efficiently.
(b) The Division of Festivals, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage Institute, have the powers and duties to:(1) Organize and execute festival art events;(2) Execute a timeline and workplan for the management of festivals arts and ensure that the festivals operate smoothly and that deadlines are met;(3) Establish, if necessary, an ad hoc team of volunteers to execute festival arts;(4) Recruit and supervise staff, interns, and volunteers;(5) Create and oversee the programming for festival arts events;(6) Build and maintain professional relationships with promoters;(7) Provide for and oversee the coordination of guest artists, including arranging travel and local transportation, and ensure a positive experience for visitors;(8) Execute fundraising efforts that includes sponsorships, memberships, individual and business donations, ad sales, and fundraising events;(9) Make contracts and execute all instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise of any of its powers;(10) Maintain and manage all corporate sponsorships;(11) Organize and secure the resources necessary for all festival art events;(12) Develop an overall marketing plan and oversee development of an aggressive marketing campaign;(13) Work in collaboration with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to promote festival arts and all other matters pertaining to festival arts; and(14) Perform other duties and responsibilities as it pertains to festival arts.
(1) Organize and execute festival art events;
(2) Execute a timeline and workplan for the management of festivals arts and ensure that the festivals operate smoothly and that deadlines are met;
(3) Establish, if necessary, an ad hoc team of volunteers to execute festival arts;
(4) Recruit and supervise staff, interns, and volunteers;
(5) Create and oversee the programming for festival arts events;
(6) Build and maintain professional relationships with promoters;
(7) Provide for and oversee the coordination of guest artists, including arranging travel and local transportation, and ensure a positive experience for visitors;
(8) Execute fundraising efforts that includes sponsorships, memberships, individual and business donations, ad sales, and fundraising events;
(9) Make contracts and execute all instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise of any of its powers;
(10) Maintain and manage all corporate sponsorships;
(11) Organize and secure the resources necessary for all festival art events;
(12) Develop an overall marketing plan and oversee development of an aggressive marketing campaign;
(13) Work in collaboration with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to promote festival arts and all other matters pertaining to festival arts; and
(14) Perform other duties and responsibilities as it pertains to festival arts.
(c) For the purposes of this section, the term “festival” means carnivals, music festivals, film festivals, food festivals, and other organized community and cultural celebrations and social events.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term “festival arts” means all components of special events, celebrations, programs, performances, exhibitions, entertainment and other activities centering on and celebrating unique aspects community, folklife culture, tradition, visual arts, theatre, film, music, agriculture, food and culinary arts, costume-making, masquerading, pageantry, and other forms of expression.
(e) Notwithstanding title 31 V.I.C. chapter 23, contracts for artists, vendors, material, services, supplies, equipment, and all other festival-related procurements made pursuant to this section which do not exceed $150,000.00, may be procured under the process set forth in this subsection. The Division of Festivals shall:(1) Develop written specifications sufficient to permit an eligible vendor to respond;(2) Identify at least 3 eligible vendors to provide products or services and solicit quotes;(3) Evaluate bidder’s responses with specifications; and(4) Determine the most responsible and responsive bidder with the lowest price.
(1) Develop written specifications sufficient to permit an eligible vendor to respond;
(2) Identify at least 3 eligible vendors to provide products or services and solicit quotes;
(3) Evaluate bidder’s responses with specifications; and
(4) Determine the most responsible and responsive bidder with the lowest price.
(f) For purposes of subsection (d), “eligible” means the potential vendor meets the required licensing or certification requirements.
(g) The Commissioner of Tourism shall retain any monies obtained from private donations or sponsorships in an escrow account established for each island: St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. The director of the Division of Festivals may withdraw monies in the escrow accounts or the production and promotion of festivals on the respective island.
(h) The Commissioner of Tourism shall promulgate regulations for the administration of the Division of Festivals.