[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6483498,"mediaKeyId","5723876-61747772db1719bdca5bd6497a4027ee","parentId",5723876,"title","Metro Arts presents draft audit response and grant manual; committee told it will standardize grant operations","audioSeconds",245,"startMs",2578000,"endMs",2823000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5723876-61747772db1719bdca5bd6497a4027ee&start=2578&end=2823","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5723876-61747772db1719bdca5bd6497a4027ee/thumbnail_2578000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6483498/Tennessee/Metro-Arts-presents-draft-audit-response-and-grant-manual-committee-told-it-will-standardize-grant-operations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483498-a1bbf0212a699c5c4b20c80579dc1354/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078343&Signature=CwAgS4808RmNwAYAsft0g98PFJMOyhvQXYlgKpbg4mdGfjy8H3cRBTOWw7IKg-mk0AuwyDOct6uoVzlB-bCWqAvJDX1TPWacrOEZY-xJPsHnLQUHi56zTLJp8B4wuAahIq-Z4Zn8Fypa-vV2gR~o1VpizUSMsAHgM56faC0Yiv9SwYK4zY4pnFdqFSQdzaAhuc-t6lGDsELqFVopxfZ7hqQhhLlxWbhsNjcbhxn0GTA0HLbrivjEMISuJoe7DfnIQIK4vYTnRP-eryEYMtEjoQ-i69x9bJNI-u8ICKz~iEUzSOPNOj1EEESsYdHp264gTeeK1IUfSJyzbgi9zttGPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Metro Nashville Network","date","2025-08-19T07:21:42Z","article","Metro Arts staff presented a draft audit implementation plan on Aug. 18 that the department is developing as a grant-management manual to document procedures, improve recordkeeping and standardize grant cycles.

\"This started out as a response as part of our response to our audit implementation plan about how we were addressing the different recommendations and requirements that came around grant policies and procedures,\" Director Ashley Batchelder said. She told the Grants Committee the document is a draft and not complete, but that it functions as a standard operating procedures (SOP) manual for grant work.

What the manual covers
- Project management tools and functions in Submittable (pages 1–4).
- Application submission procedures and form building (pages 4–7).
- Revamped technical review and operating procedures (page 7 onward).
- Panelist review procedures and panelist guidelines (starting page 12).
- Commission approval SOP (placeholder, page 16).
- Award notification SOPs, onboarding vendors, contracting and invoice processes (page 18).
- Closeout SOPs and an anticipated SOP for grant check-ins (starting page 20–22).

Batchelder said the manual grew from audit-response work and from operational improvements made during a compressed grant cycle. The draft includes placeholders where staff will add additional detail; the manual is intended to aid internal training, onboarding of new staff and to create a reliable record of decisions and procedures for future cycles.

Why it matters: The manual aims to make grant decision-making and documentation more transparent and repeatable. Committee members praised the work and asked that the manual be uploaded into the grants office files for future reference.

Related program update: Community Arts Leaders internship
Batchelder also updated the committee on the Community Arts Leaders of Nashville internship program, which staff presented to the commission in June and now considers a grant that requires Metro Council approval for its criteria. She said the program is on the council agenda tomorrow for committee consideration and budgetary approval; the internship places paid student interns with host organizations in the spring and involves separate applications for host organizations, students and mentors.

Committee reaction and next steps
Committee members thanked staff for the manual and recommended the team continue to develop SOPs for check-ins and other recurring tasks. Batchelder said staff will bring further updates at the next committee meeting and that the manual will help the department manage a busy grant calendar and ongoing hiring needs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","08/18/25 Metro Arts Commission: Grants and Funding Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Metro Arts presented a draft audit implementation plan reframed as a 20+-page grant manual covering submission procedures, panelist reviews, contracting and closeout SOPs; the commission was asked to review the draft as staff implements recommendations.","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},6483503,"Metro Arts reports 381 grant applications for FY26; staff warns flat budget means not all can be funded",835,220000,1055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5723876-61747772db1719bdca5bd6497a4027ee&start=220&end=1055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5723876-61747772db1719bdca5bd6497a4027ee/thumbnail_220000.jpg","/articles/6483503/Tennessee/Metro-Arts-reports-381-grant-applications-for-FY26-staff-warns-flat-budget-means-not-all-can-be-funded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483503-dcdb15aa4974ba83e593014b4617c043/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078343&Signature=aoRoEKrDTIzHPe7OdvOp~c~nrXc6YWkLsw2TfjSqtC8HV7bxF7pb-4O4myuvmPXNuOfyiuJTHGiYAuZFoTsFjyQbCUzu2gGO1O8A7-uAciJ-dnYzdnvAQ5TDa8lhP3Jm84mrfy6qGUyOAKhlbjWaRl5eKOTwqy58WIIaRQ6OJaLhirMFG49MeuIae4VscA-BMTdZBXYGSFNwVjNk~zzvv7Oj7vsZndq2QWIxB7Fx~xOyjvE9ROdyJiGXYujLptNlOH0jvBby8C46aoblnTpOvacD0tMjHRLJW8dF-Nd5gqsqOyJiVeBqkHE0~LTGbcV7Iei5nbTLq3vXfyLpBSCKxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Metro Arts staff reported Monday, Aug. 18, that the agency received 381 grant applications for fiscal year 2026, a 23% increase over the prior cycle, and warned the commission that a flat budget means staff will likely be unable to fund all qualifying applicants.

Director Ashley Batchelder told the Arts Commission Grants Committee that the total includes 106 general operating support applications and 275 Thrive project applications, and that the agency also received 47 panelist applications to review submissions. \"This is an overall, 23% increase from the last time applications were open,\" Batchelder said.

The surge came after a month of outreach and technical help: Metro Arts held in-person drop-in sessions July 25–28 and Aug. 11–15 at library locations and the Nashville Farmers Market, ran daily one-on-one virtual help sessions and recorded at least 66 sign-ups for those appointments. Staff said they supported at least 90 applicants directly during the month and estimate the true number assisted was well over 100.

Why it matters: Metro Arts' budget for grant awards is flat even as demand grows. Batchelder said the operating grant formula remains a pass/fail model—applicants scoring 70% or higher are eligible for funding—while Thrive grants will be rank-ordered and funded until available dollars are spent. \"We are likely not able to fund everything that we want to fund,\" Batchelder said.

Key application and eligibility details
- Total applications: 381 (106 operating; 275 Thrive). 47 panelist applications were submitted separately.
- Operating applicants by size: 17 micro (16%), 24 small, 32 medium, 23 midsize, 10 large.
- Primary artistic disciplines reported: music, performing arts, multidisciplinary and visual arts among the largest categories.
- Thrive specifics: 275 applicants (up from 201 last cycle); about 78% applied as individual artists or artist groups using a fiscal sponsor; 56% of Thrive applicants were first-time applicants to Metro Arts. Requested amounts ranged from $3,000 to $15,000; 241 Thrive applicants requested the maximum $15,000.
- Funding formulas: Operating grants use a 70% \"pass/fail\" threshold; Thrive grants are ranked and funded until funds are depleted. Batchelder explained the difference in approach and the rationale for a $15,000 maximum request for Thrive this cycle.

Review timeline and next steps
- Technical (eligibility) review: in progress the week of Aug. 18; staff are checking eligibility and completeness.
- Correction window: a brief correction period is planned for the next week (Monday–Wednesday) to allow applicants to fix certain technical errors when possible.
- Panelist orientation: scheduled for Sept. 2 (virtual, two time options offered).
- Panel reviews: staff will run panel reviews in person; the panel review process is scheduled to conclude by the end of the day Friday, Sept. 12.
- Grants committee meeting for allocation recommendations: tentatively scheduled for Monday, Sept. 22 (committee will meet earlier than usual so staff can turn around materials). Batchelder said she plans to provide the committee packet by the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Staff outreach and applicant support
Batchelder credited staff and colleagues for outreach and hands-on applicant support. She identified staff members who took lead roles at drop-in and virtual sessions and said the Farmers Market location proved especially accessible. The agency also plans enhancements to award notifications and earlier distribution of closeout requirements so grantees know end-of-cycle obligations in advance.

Grantee closeout status (FY25)
Metro Arts also reported FY25 closeout progress: for operating awards (90 organizations), staff had collected closeout reports from 88 organizations and approved 75 of those submissions. For the Thrive program (75 previous grantees), staff had collected 74 closeouts and approved 59; remaining items mainly involve expenditure-report mismatches that staff are resolving.

Commission participation and transparency
Panel reviews are closed to the public, but commissioners were invited to observe portions of in-person panels with the caveat that observation is limited to one commissioner at a time and observers may not participate. Batchelder said staff will request updated conflict-of-interest forms in advance of the committee meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve minutes of July 14, 2025: mover — Commissioner Knight; seconder — Commissioner Khalil; outcome — approved (voice vote). The minutes were recorded as approved.
- Motion to adjourn: outcome — approved (voice). No further business was recorded.

Tighter timelines and a larger applicant pool set up a consequential allocation meeting in September. Batchelder told commissioners the coming weeks will focus on scoring, allocation scenarios and preparing packet materials so the committee can deliberate on where limited funds should be distributed.","Metro Arts told its grants committee on Aug. 18 that it received 381 FY26 grant applications — a 23% increase over the previous cycle — and outlined a review timeline that culminates in allocation recommendations to the committee on Sept. 22.","actionData","errors"]

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Metro Arts presents draft audit response and grant manual; committee told it will standardize grant operations

Metro Arts reports 381 grant applications for FY26; staff warns flat budget means not all can be funded