[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6184401,"mediaKeyId","5090939-215bdc80d9b5968622e8452209694285","parentId",5090939,"title","Metro Arts approves Arthur Avenue MOU; updates on several public-art projects and mural unveilings","audioSeconds",493,"startMs",1113000,"endMs",1606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090939-215bdc80d9b5968622e8452209694285&start=1113&end=1606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090939-215bdc80d9b5968622e8452209694285/thumbnail_1113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184401/Tennessee/Metro-Arts-approves-Arthur-Avenue-MOU-updates-on-several-public-art-projects-and-mural-unveilings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184401-ea169d0a4326ef9917f547a7b920a94b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083330&Signature=Ctu6rN7Nu-RprQbv9KFWAUcQITGgtXfkKavDMUP3Ss9IAoC~6Y0sWgfAUCq-9eGqGSpB0PyXhaqxM2nKtoM5qYvFb9C1D89OiZBeAVDMNLtNQ9rTjL8njK5jkBexJpa9J8-xXz6WHPW4PI4k0g~oGgYKUIXEnsq26vUyHcGr4Da07a5Vci4xe-Vhfme6~YnFUy7dUg-9TNT0lZQKDFiig4zRAycqffXwLR687Tm6-K12uc0S-tP4hxCepBqN~URNfdxOFIJpNolUTUzUfubLggkLJS1mx6abIjHqFke0bl6yTP2tkzjifEbMcQsDp0KsYLAGLrAukELFn9U7xn-5pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Nashville, TN","date","2025-06-27T07:14:09Z","article","The Metro Arts Commission voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Nashville Department of Transportation to allow site work to begin on the Arthur Avenue public-art project, then heard updates on other city mural projects and an artist spotlight.

The Arthur Avenue project will move forward after Metro Legal files a resolution with the council office and the license agreement prepared by TDOT is routed for signatures, Commission staff said. Public-art work planned at the site will begin with painting and electrical work, follow with artist installation of lighting, and include sidewalk repairs, a plaque and a dedication ceremony once installation is complete.

Anne Leslie, the Metro Arts staff member who presented the Arthur Avenue update, told the commission that Metro had \"received word from TDOT that they had prepared a license agreement\" and that Metro Legal was preparing a resolution to take to the council office for approval. Leslie said the project team will work with ARDEP Nashville and Project Return’s Pro Property Solutions on installation. The commission’s public art committee recommended approval of the memorandum of understanding and the commission voted to adopt it.

The commission also heard a report on the Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment public-art project, which closed its call to artists the week preceding the meeting. Staff reported a record 143 submissions, exceeding the prior record of 126. Project staff said the pool included many local applicants (18 submissions from Davidson County) and applicants from across the region and the U.S.; a handful of international applications arrived but were ineligible. Staff said the selection panel call for community reviewers remains open and that panelists must be Davidson County residents; the community-panel call closes July 7 at 11:59 p.m.

Commissioners received a completion report on the Luby Community Center mural. Staff member Masania reported the mural has been finished and thanked Nashville Parks for site coordination. The commission was invited to the public dedication and unveiling on Wednesday, July 16, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; the ceremony will begin inside Luby Theater and continue outside the community center.

The meeting opened with an artist spotlight featuring Nashville artist Ruben Torres. Chuck Beard introduced Torres, and Torres described several recent projects, including a mural at Harvest Hands that will be unveiled Monday, June 30, at 1 p.m. at 155 Old Hermitage Avenue. Torres said he has contributed work to Metro Arts’ Lending Library and is finishing a FY25 Thrive grant mural.

Commission members flagged a July 24 retreat on the commission calendar; organizers said the retreat will run roughly 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include a commission meeting on the back end. Commissioners were asked to RSVP and to inform staff of scheduling conflicts.

The Arthur Avenue memorandum of understanding and the public-art updates were presented as part of the commission’s public-art committee reports and were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Less urgent items discussed in the same agenda block included staff logistics for artist residencies, partner coordination on installations and reminders about open calls for community panelists for upcoming projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/26/25 Metro Arts Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The Metro Arts Commission voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Nashville Department of Transportation to allow site work to begin on the Arthur Avenue public-art project.","taxTitle","Arts Commission Meetings, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee","taxId",69305,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6184391,"Interim director outlines audit work, staffing hires and impending office move at Metro Arts",2473,2665000,5138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090939-215bdc80d9b5968622e8452209694285&start=2665&end=5138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090939-215bdc80d9b5968622e8452209694285/thumbnail_2665000.jpg","/articles/6184391/Tennessee/Interim-director-outlines-audit-work-staffing-hires-and-impending-office-move-at-Metro-Arts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184391-9d2981144da859d78a7855950a7dbe55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083330&Signature=bjC9qbL4Fed-JxNgDQLv26PdiDpr4tA6A3O4q2pjAVl61nMUwAchfp-fXO0bYZDgl96bLmnD911T2UsjaLkK0J8SK~Vlinvh9FKJZF0vxHXy~4AaHPiniz9ZriiF0gulEqTXj3DIcGPc322Ok5bY68qnLtqh2cm~nVTyoHE0AmwoGP6cR49438lXNnTqXNqxYIgyIEtPFrlthS5QlfxL8zeXE2asNh482B2o4R-uXvWfj0Cwupw1FD45oyhxIjc4d9wU6UqewyK62Nd1C4dfGTNTGNERqSXpHCMm4bHCpy2n4F9IKn1WimBqNgKhf5D4xIa97NMrTzaDB6VRRmx1OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ashley, the interim executive director, told the commission that Metro Arts has prioritized audit tasks related to grant procedures and is working toward early completion dates set by the audit team. Staff said the audit was reissued with updated dates and the department is on schedule to address grant-related recommendations, with some deliverables targeted for August 1.

On staffing, Ashley reported recent turnover and short-term coverage: grants manager Sydney Davis has departed, and former communications manager Molly Berlus is providing part-time temporary support for 6–8 weeks to help urgent communications and public-art needs. The department has made a contingent offer for a public-information manager with a mid‑July anticipated start, and will next move forward on hiring a public-art manager, she said.

Ashley told the commission Metro Arts’ FY26 Metro Council budget was maintained as a flat budget year. The adopted budget included the restoration of approximately $34,000 in targeted savings and money to support a potential move. Ashley said Metro Arts must relocate from the current building because the site is being acquired by the airport; staff are exploring Metro-owned alternatives and working with Metro partners to identify space — the timeline is not fixed but could extend up to a year.

Staff said Metro’s new pay plan has been implemented systemwide and Metro Arts employees are receiving the new salary ranges. Ashley added that full-time staff have completed Metro-wide \"conscious inclusion\" DEI training and are scheduled for department-specific sessions including root-cause analysis and corrective-action planning. Managers are conducting annual evaluations and onboarding plans are in place for new hires.

Commission audit and budget committee members reported the audit reissuance and said finance staff would start the budget true-up process in the coming month to align FY26 planning. Commissioner Jester said the audit is on schedule, and finance director Capri Harston will provide more detailed packet updates in future commission meetings.

Chair and commissioners closed the meeting after a final adjournment motion.","Interim director Ashley reported audit progress focused on grant-related recommendations with an August target, announced hires and temporary cover for communications, and said Metro Arts must relocate from its current building due to an airport acquisition; the FY26 budget was flat but included $34,000 restored savings.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6184396,"Metro Arts approves FY26 operating and Thrive grant rules; changes include 5‑year background-check window and new correction period",429,2053000,2482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090939-215bdc80d9b5968622e8452209694285&start=2053&end=2482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090939-215bdc80d9b5968622e8452209694285/thumbnail_2053000.jpg","/articles/6184396/Tennessee/Metro-Arts-approves-FY26-operating-and-Thrive-grant-rules-changes-include-5year-background-check-window-and-new-correction-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184396-9fa8df68d40a2cbaaedaddab0daecc91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083330&Signature=nM9q6ISvgry1VLVw7h1sK90BfP0AM0rbeb2BpDDagt3Z1iUl5txHS3CRU26mDxoBvTSXRBdWZ8FS-EWq4zZCkaJc3xeqqeBnk87DoMkPvoiS3B3ecLscCFGa2zQca7EXIXpVum8DoGnAvjVwYf10pBqRBr3P~C4T1hQdnTu2I6FxGgHfL9ZgkKHCNZ4Z~ZU~x~a0Nl7uttKK6UXe9wZm00JKvb4K89xhEIpY5qtcBSiLpqT7OhpuRQHMmHI7yfSxpZ1-0Pup2Y2P7vw65P1Tdur8JjgI0ZLXcRZJXq20GI018iIAxFF~MPNdyHF~GCsSKAT2qAbkzU0kMgvETcORdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metro Arts Commission approved updated FY26 grant guidelines for operating support and the Thrive project fund, and approved the criteria for compensated community grant-review panels.

Ashley, the commission’s interim executive director, summarized key changes: applicants that score 70% or higher on the rubric will be eligible for operating grants; the program retains budget-size categories but adds a size-transition midpoint for organizations just over category thresholds; and Metro Arts will implement a new technical-review correction period to allow applicants three days to fix correctable deficiencies.

On background checks for programs that work directly with minors, staff recommended — and the commission approved — revising the required lookback window from two years to five. Ashley said staff researched other departments and grantees and found five years is more typical for organizations that already operate youth programs. The commission discussed the tradeoffs; one commissioner asked for additional context and said she favored a shorter timeframe but accepted staff’s rationale.

Thrive program rules were also changed. The commission approved a maximum request of $15,000 for Thrive projects and clarified that the creation, installation and maintenance of public artwork are ineligible Thrive expenses for this cycle; staff included a brief definition of public art in the guidelines. Fiscal sponsors will receive an explicit $750 administrative payment on top of an approved grant award to cover administrative costs; Metro Arts staff said that amount will not be deducted from an artist’s project budget.

Other procedural updates approved include a standard rubric (16 points for micro/small/medium; 24 points for midsize/large organizations), gating score of 70% for operating eligibility, grant-period definitions (award period runs from contract execution through June 30, 2026, with closeout reporting due July 15, 2026), and an intention to implement periodic grant check-ins during the award year.

The commission also approved criteria for community grant-panelists, including Davidson County residency and a $35-per-hour compensation rate based on a living-wage calculation. Staff said orientation, independent review and an in-person panel are required for panelists; ineligible reviewers include elected officials, current metro employees, commission members and applicants with conflicts of interest.

Commissioners approved the operating guidelines, the Thrive guidelines and the grant-panel criteria by voice vote. Staff said if council approves the Metro Arts resolution in July, applications would open in mid-July, followed by technical review, panel orientations in September and award announcements in late September or early October, with contracting in October and funds dispersed by year-end.","The commission approved updated operating-grant and Thrive program guidelines for FY26, including a longer background-check lookback (5 years), a smoothing mechanism for budget-size transitions, a 3‑day correction window during technical review, a $15,000 maximum Thrive request and a $750 fiscal-sponsor administrative fee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Metro Arts approves Arthur Avenue MOU; updates on several public-art projects and mural unveilings

Interim director outlines audit work, staffing hires and impending office move at Metro Arts

Metro Arts approves FY26 operating and Thrive grant rules; changes include 5‑year background-check window and new correction period