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

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.