Committee considers vetted finalists and fundraising strategy for Bohanco Gateway Park

Portsmouth Boards & Commissions members reviewed options for acquiring a second major artwork for Bohanco Gateway Park and discussed fundraising strategies and artist-selection approaches.

Members suggested revisiting the top proposals from a prior Endeavor RFP rather than issuing a new open call, to speed procurement and provide clearer concepts for potential donors. The committee discussed reaching out—confidentially—to the two other finalists to confirm continued interest and to ask permission to share their concepts internally. Several members recommended an executive session to review finalist proposals before contacting artists, to manage reputational risks and avoid prematurely raising expectations.

Fundraising options discussed included partnering with the Chamber of Commerce for corporate and philanthropic outreach, pursuing identified grants and soliciting private donations. Committee members said an August community event at Bohanco Gateway Park (the “street life”/community event) offers a fundraising platform and that they hoped to secure seed contributions before August to announce progress at the event.

The committee asked staff to circulate the previous RFP to members, and to return with a plan for a possible executive-session review of finalists and a draft fundraising approach at a future meeting.