Metro Arts staff told the Public Art Committee on July 17 that the call for artists for the Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment lobby received a record number of submissions, driven by a large local turnout and targeted outreach. Atelio (project staff) said the office received significantly more submissions than past comparable calls and expects a competitive selection round.

Atelio said the call’s outreach produced the strongest response since the Fairgrounds commission in 2019, and he highlighted a high share of Greater Nashville applicants. “We broke a record in terms of submissions received,” Atelio said during his update.

Staff reported the selection-panel recruitment just closed and that Metro Arts will finalize the panel roster next week. The selection process is scheduled to begin July 28; Atelio told the committee he anticipated presenting semifinalists in August and a finalist for committee review in September.

Committee members praised staff outreach and thanked council offices and partners for sharing the call. Atelio said the panel will include community members and artists and that staff designed the call to attract proposals that meet the project’s program goals. There was no formal action taken; the item was presented as a project update and timeline.

Metro Arts staff said they will return with semifinalist materials in August and the finalist recommendation in September for committee consideration.