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International Jazz Day

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR GLOBAL HOST CITY 2022

UNESCO is launching a Call for Applications for the Global Host City for the 2022 International Jazz Day celebration.

Cities and cities in partnership with a nongovernmental organization in UNESCO Member States and Associate Members can apply. 
 

The Call for Applications is closed

INTRODUCTION

 

International Jazz Day, proclaimed by UNESCO’s General Conference in 2011, is a global celebration of jazz music held annually on 30 April. It aims to raise awareness on the role of jazz as an educational tool and as a force for creativity, dialogue and intercultural exchange, and highlights how jazz:

  • breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance;
  • is a vector of freedom of expression;
  • brings people together in celebration and reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities;
  • encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of expression, and inclusion of traditional music forms into new ones;
  • stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalized societies.

Following the Call for Applications, an Advisory Committee[1] evaluates the eligible applications, identifies the top two candidates and, after a site visit to the top two candidates, makes a recommendation to the UNESCO Director-General. The final decision lies with the Director-General of UNESCO who designates the Global Host City.

The designated Global Host City will take responsibility for the organization and all costs of the Programme of Activities, under the supervision of and in close cooperation with UNESCO and UNESCO’s partner, the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that oversees the overall planning, production and coordination of the Programme of Activities.
The Programme of Activities consists of two parts: the Educational and Outreach Programme and the All-Star Global Concert (see Technical Requirements for the Programme of Activities in the Annex).
The Educational and Outreach Programme includes master classes, lectures, performances and panel discussions, with local, national and regional schools, universities, institutions and community organizations. The outreach extends to community service programmes targeting vulnerable populations including the elderly, the critically ill, the disabled and the homeless, among others. The aim is to celebrate and share widely the messages and values of International Jazz Day with the general public.
The All-Star Global Concert brings together a stellar line-up of international jazz artists for a performance that spans styles, cultures and languages. In the spirit of International Jazz Day, it takes place in a landmark venue with rich historical significance to both the Global Host City and the hosting nation.
All components of the Programme of Activities (All-Star Global Concert and Educatonal and Outreach Programme) must be fully open to the public and free of charge. Merchandise items (t-shirts, posters, etc.) may not be sold and must be provided free of charge to participants, volunteers and the general public. All costs for the Programme of Activities must be fully covered through contributions from local and national government as well as public and private sector sponsors.

[1] The Advisory Committee consists of one representative of UNESCO, one representative of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, and two independent experts in the field of event management, which may include artists, music industry professionals, representatives of non-governmental organizations and/or independent institutions, co-designated by UNESCO and Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.

The Application should clearly demonstrate the capacity and commitment of the Global Host City to meet the requirements specified below and in the Application Form.

  • Who can Apply:

    As International Jazz Day is a UNESCO proclaimed International Day, the Call for Applications is open to all cities and cities in partnership with a nongovernmental organization in UNESCO Member States and Associate Members.

  • Geographic Representation:

    Cities and cities in partnership with a nongovernmental organization in UNESCO Member States and Associate Members are eligible to apply to host International Jazz Day 2022. Past International Jazz Day celebrations: Virtual Global Concert 2020; Melbourne-Sydney (Australia) 2019; Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) 2018; Havana (Cuba) 2017; Washington, D.C. (United States of America) 2016; UNESCO (France) 2015; Osaka (Japan) 2014; Istanbul (Turkey) 2013; United Nations Headquarters (United States of America), UNESCO (France) and New Orleans (United States of America) 2012.

  • Supporting documents:

    The Application must include:

    1. A letter of support from the city government, which specifies the intention to undertake the Educational and Outreach Programme and the All-Star Global Concert, and their commitment to ensuring the financial and/or in-kind support corresponding to the city government contributions set out in the budget proposal.

    2. A letter of support from a national governmental ministry or similar entity, which specifies their commitment to ensuring the financial and/or in-kind support corresponding to the government contributions set out in the budget proposal.

    3. A letter of endorsement from the Applicant country’s National Commission for UNESCO, which approves the completed and final Application Form (all references to the National Commission for UNESCO refer to the country the Applicant is in – see the Directory here);

    4. Two additional letters of support from a partner or associated entities[2].

    [2] If the city is applying in partnership with a non governmental organization, that partner NGO may not provide such letter of support. The two letters of support would have to come from other partners or associated entities.

  • Financing:

    The budget proposal submitted in the Application must be completed with full details and should correspond to the city’s size and capability. The budget proposal should include expenses related to the organization of the Global Concert and Educational and Outreach Programme activities, including educational activities in close cooperation with the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO. It should also include a financial contribution to UNESCO management costs, corresponding to the preparation period of the initiative (estimated 6 months) to facilitate the liaison between UNESCO, the Global Host City and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. For examples of previous International Jazz Day budget breakdowns, please consult the UNESCO Secretariat.

    The Advisory Committee will assess the quality of the proposed Programme of Activities and the consistency of the proposed budget.

    The top two final Applicants selected by the Advisory Committee will be required to finance a site visit of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO (3 persons) in order to evaluate the feasibility of the submitted Application before the final recommendation to the UNESCO Director-General is made. Once designated, the Global Host City will be required to finance additional site visits by staff from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz including members of their technical, production and education teams during the planning phase. The number of visits, generally 3 to 5, varies from country to country and will be determined based on the need to finalize preparations.

    The designated Global Host City and the local and national government are responsible for the costs related to the Programme of Activities. To facilitate the success of International Jazz Day, the Application must include the express commitment of the national government to ensure the corresponding financial and in-kind support. The involvement of the local/state/provincial government is also a key factor. 

  • Memorandum of Understanding:

    Before the designated Global Host City is announced by the UNESCO Director-General, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by UNESCO, the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, the designated Global Host City Focal Point and a national government authority to set forth the logistical, communication, operational and budgetary aspects and the rights and responsibilities of each Party.

  • Communication

    By presenting the Application, the Applicant, in case of designation as the Global Host City, commits to associate UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz in its communication and information campaigns and to work with them for all main events relating to the International Jazz Day Programme of Activities.

 

N.B.: No exercise of influence or lobbying is allowed.  Consequently, it is prohibited to offer any goods, services, funds, material or immaterial
benefits in return for any form of favour or unauthorized support in the selection process.  Any misconduct by a candidate city, if verified, will lead
to its immediate disqualification.

  • Online Application:
    1. Complete the online Application Form following this UNESCO International Jazz Day Link. Applicants may save and return to complete their Application Form.
    2. Upload all required supporting documents. Applicants may attach additional documents or information to support their application in the final step of the online Application Form.
    3. Submit the online Application Form by 1 October 2021.
  • Languages of submission: The complete Application Form must be submitted in English or French, which are the two working languages of the UNESCO Secretariat.
  • Preparing the Application:

Although there is no one-size-fits-all formula for the preparation of the Application, the following diagram presents the suggested steps of this process.

City or City in partnership with a nongovernmental organization decides to prepare the Application

Establish a Management Team and Focal Point

Identify relevant stakeholders - within the city and at regional, national and international level - and establish a consultative group

Implement relevant background research and prepare mapping of cultural, educational and logistical assets of city

Develop a concept and detailed Programme of Activities: the All-Star Global Concert and the Educational and Outreach Programme

Develop a detailed budget and obtain the agreement and commitment of city, provincial and national government authorities on funding sources proposed

Share the final Application Form with the National Commission to UNESCO and obtain required letters of support

Submit the Online Application within the deadline

The Global Host City of International Jazz Day selection process consists of the following steps:

Step1

Call for Applications:

Cities interested in putting themselves forward for consideration are required to submit the online Application Form by the specified deadline. The deadline for the submission of the Application is stated in the Call for Applications and is approximately six months after its launch.

Step2

Technical Pre-Screening:

A technical pre-screening of all submissions is carried out by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz to verify whether the Application is complete and meets all the requirements, including the five requisite letters.

Step3

Advisory Committee:

The Advisory Committee reviews all eligible Applications and identifies the top two Applicants. The Advisory Committee consists of one representative of UNESCO, one representative of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, and two independent experts in the field of event management, which may include artists, music industry professionals, representatives of non-governmental organizations and/or independent institutions, co-designated by UNESCO and Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.

Step4

Site visit and Recommendation:

The top two Applicants identified by the Advisory Committee will be informed. Representatives of UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz will undertake a site visit to both cities, to be funded by the Applicants, in order to evaluate the feasibility of the submitted Application. The site visit will include visits to proposed venues and partners for the All-Star Global Concert and Education and Outreach Programme, as well as meetings with local, regional and national government officials and other committed financial supporters. Thereafter the Advisory Committee will make a final recommendation to the Director-General of UNESCO.

Step5

Decision:

The Global Host City is designated by the Director-General of UNESCO and the Global Host City is informed.

Step6

Memorandum of Understanding and Announcement:

A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by UNESCO, the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, the designated Global Host City Focal Point and the national government authority to set forth the logistical, communication, operational and budgetary aspects and the rights and responsibilities of each Party. Once signed, UNESCO will officially announce the designated Global Host City.

Step7

Monitoring:

The Global Host City’s coordination team will work closely with its counterparts at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO on all aspects of planning and executing the Global Host City Programme of Activities. In addition, the Global Host City Focal Point shall agree to facilitate evaluation of progress on preparatory work at UNESCO's request. UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz will regularly take stock and evaluate the preparatory work of the Global Host City for International Jazz Day.

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Estimated Timetable for Call for Applications:

Launch of Call for Applications.
Deadline for Online Application Submission.
Deadline for evaluation of eligible Applications by the Advisory Committee. The top two final candidates will be informed.
Site visits (should the health situation allow) to top two final candidates by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO.
Signature of MOU and official announcement of designation by the Director-General of UNESCO.

Concept – Elaborate your concept for the celebration and the Programme of Activities and explain how it addresses the aims of International Jazz Day. Is there a theme? Do you have a methodology that is appropriate to achieving the objectives your city has identified for International Jazz Day?

Funding – Be sure you have developed a strong, realistic and well-rounded budget with funding sources that are both cash and in-kind from government as well as public and private sectors, such as airline and hotel stakeholders. Be specific regarding your fund-raising strategy if you need to raise funds in addition to the commitment from city, government and private or public sources.

Infrastructure – Discuss your city’s capacity in terms of an iconic venue for the concert, interesting options for the educational and outreach activities, transportation (air and ground), and accommodation. Address visa and security aspects as well.

Partners – Diversify your partners and consider including educational institutions, communications/media experts, local businesses, or the travel and tourism sector among others, in addition to the obvious music and cultural industry partners.

Innovation – How will your city engage and share the values of jazz with local communities and with the world in creative ways? If you are targeting any particular groups (e.g. youth, marginalized communities, refugees) explain how you plan to do it. Discuss sustainable tourism and environmental challenges and solutions.

 

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