The Metro Arts Commission voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Nashville Public Library that formalizes the Art Lending Library program, staff said at the commission’s July 24 meeting at Fort Negley.
The agreement sets out roles and responsibilities for Metro Arts and the library for a collection of locally purchased works that are permanently located at library branches and available for checkout by library cardholders for three months.
The MOU “is a partnership with the Nashville Public Library, whereby we have purchased artwork for our collection from local artists, and it is permanently located at various library branches,” Metro Arts public art staff member Anne Leslie said while presenting the item. She told commissioners the program began in 2021 and has been expanded in phases.
Under the agreement Metro Arts is responsible for purchasing, framing and installing the artworks and for maintenance such as reframing when needed; the library is responsible for daily circulation operations and condition reports when works return. Leslie said Phase 1 (2021) added 60 works to the collection at Southeast and Madison branches. A Phase 2 effort last year added 53 works and placed pieces at Donaldson, East, Green Hills, Old Hickory and Hermitage branches.
The Public Art Committee recommended approval of the MOU, and a commissioner moved to adopt that recommendation during the meeting. Commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried. The recorded proceedings show no further amendment to the terms announced at the meeting.
Commissioners who asked questions during the discussion sought details about committee makeup, selection criteria and whether artworks had been damaged or lost in circulation. Leslie described the artist selection as a competitive purchase: an open call invites local artists to submit up to three artworks for possible purchase, and a selection panel of five to 11 members (including Metro and library representatives and a Public Art Committee chair) chooses works for the collection. She said there have been a small number of missing or damaged items but that the collection’s loss/damage rate is “really good” compared with other circulating collections the library manages.
Commissioners said the program increases public access to local art and provides a visible connection between borrowers and the artists; Metro Arts staff noted the program materials and the Metro Arts website link to each artist’s portfolio and social channels to encourage follow-up purchases.
Commissioners and staff said they expect future phases could expand the collection to additional branch locations, but no dates were set at the meeting.
Less critical details: the MOU and an artist list were included in the meeting packet distributed in advance; Public Art Committee members led the review process and recommended approval.