Metro Arts is planning a celebration of the Lending Library Collection with an opening of fifty-three new artworks at the Mezzanine Gallery at the Main Branch of the Nashville Public Library (NPL) on July 18th from 5:30 - 8:00pm. The Lending Library, a Metro Arts partnership with NPL, was devised in 2020 to provide direct, immediate financial support to local artists and create a novel way for the greater Nashville community to access these artists and their work. Metro Arts began the initiative as a direct response to Nashville artists dealing with impacts of the March 3, 2020 tornado and C ..read more

The Metro Nashville Arts Commission selected Nashville-based multi-disciplinary artist Omari Booker to design and create a work of public art at Nashville’s first Public Supportive Housing facility, Strobel House.   Omari Booker studied studio art and graphic design at Belmont University and earned a B.S. in Graphic Design from Tennessee State University. Booker’s primary medium is oil painting, and he includes mixed media, charcoal, ink, and found objects as essential building blocks of his work to create finished pieces. He also creates large-scale installations, such as the proje ..read more

The Metro Nashville Arts Commission is proud to announce the award to design and install a mural at the Looby Community Center to Creative Girls Rock ®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Nashville young girls and women with opportunities to explore creative arts, youth development, and community engagement. This Public Art project is an initiative developed through the Mayor’s Participatory Budgeting program for community development in North Nashville, under former Mayor John Cooper. The community requested a mural inspired by Z. Alexander Looby’s life and accomplishments ..read more

Metro Arts began installation of a bold, community-focused addition to Nashville’s Public Art Collection on Thursday, March 7. Located at The Fairgrounds Nashville, Loqui, designed by sculptor and public artist Blessing Hancock, is a monumental, 32 x 32 ft illuminated megaphone-shaped sculpture. It employs a sophisticated lighting system that will illuminate The Fairgrounds at night— enlivening the surrounding area with color patterns that play against the surface of the sculpture. The work is a testament to Nashville’s rich storytelling history and culture. Loqui, meaning “to speak” in ..read more

New iteration of popular funding program employs a cohort model, focuses on artist development and mentorship, and culminates in a gallery exhibition at the Parthenon. Metro Arts' Thrive funding program has always sought to empower artists and invest in communities. This year, Metro Arts launched a new phase of Thrive that prioritizes artist development: our Community Practice Artist Incubator. This cycle of Thrive will include artist workshops, mentorship, and an exhibition of the artists' projects at the Parthenon's West Gallery in fall 2022. Metro Arts opened the application for Thrive's s ..read more

FY22 Thrive Projects Engage the Community in a Broad Range of Artistic Practices to Heal, Learn and Celebrate At their September meeting, the Metro Arts Board of Commissioners approved eleven projects for funding for the first cycle of Thrive for FY 2022. Metro Arts’ Thrive is a funding program that connects artists, organizations and residents to create transformation and investments within communities. By offering funding outside of the traditional grants process, Thrive gives greater access to artists and organizations to build, strengthen and cultivate communities in Davidson County. In th ..read more

“Re-Weaving Juvenile Justice” to address school-to-prison pipeline Metro Arts is pleased to announce that the city of Nashville is one of 17 finalist cities in the running for a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies for temporary art projects addressing a civic issue. There were over 150 applicants. If selected, Metro Arts will work with the city to create Re-Weaving Juvenile Justice, conceptualized by award-winning local artist Stephanie Pruitt-Gaines. Re-Weaving Juvenile Justice will forefront juvenile justice issues through community-based art processes and temporary public art th ..read more

Artist Amber Lelli's artwork beautifully integrates the local community and ecosystem NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Metro Arts is pleased to announce the approved design for an interior suspended sculpture at the forthcoming Donelson Branch Library of Nashville Public Library. Designed by local artist Amber Lelli, the artwork reflects the Donelson community and its green space, landmarks, and imagination. The suspended artwork will be installed in a 2-story space at the back of the library, viewable inside from both floors and outside through the back windows. Last summer, Amber engaged with Donelson re ..read more

Metro Arts' Thrive Invests $178,600 in 22 Artist-Led, Community-Based Projects NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Metro Nashville Arts Commission believes in the power of the arts to co-create a more vibrant and equitable community. Metro Arts' Thrive funds connects artists and organizations with the community to create neighborhood investments and transformations. Thrive Community-Based Art Projects support artist-led, community-based art projects that include collaboration between artists and community partners and organizations. This category is open to individual artists, artist teams, nonprofit orga ..read more

Singh Centers Strategic Leadership, Collaboration and Equity in the Next Chapter of Metro Arts Published August 25, 2022 Nashville, Tenn. - After a nationwide search, the Metro Arts Commission has named Daniel Phoenix Singh, an international and multi-lingual performing artist and arts leader, as the next Executive Director. Singh is excited to serve Metro Arts: Nashville Office of Arts + Culture. Most recently, Singh served on the board of Maryland Citizens for the Arts, an advocacy arm for Maryland State Arts Council. He worked on increasing funding for the arts, advancing equitable funding ..read more