Public Art Committee approves $400,000 open call for artwork at Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment

The Metro Public Arts Committee on April 17 approved an open, national call to artists and a $400,000 artist budget for an interior, wall-mounted sculpture at the Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment.

The approval authorizes Metro Arts staff to publish a qualifications-based Request for Qualifications (RFQ) this spring and begin a selection process that staff said will include a selection panel, shortlisting and final concept review by the committee before a contract is executed.

Atilio (Metro Arts project lead) told the committee the artwork site is an interior lobby at a new juvenile justice facility that sits on a roughly 14-acre site near the intersection of Trinity Lane and I‑24 off Bridal Church Pike. He said the artwork zone is approximately 1,304 square feet and that the project team expects facility opening in 2027. "We are recommending an artist budget of $400,000," Atilio said during the presentation.

Nut graf: The vote moves Metro Arts from design to procurement for a high-profile, interior artwork at a new youth campus; staff emphasized early involvement with building designers to resolve lighting, material durability and maintenance concerns before an artist is selected.

Staff described several site constraints and design requirements that will be included in the RFQ and concept review. The recommended artwork is wall-mounted only (no overhead elements for now) and must not be reliant on technology or require building electrical beyond minimal capability. Staff said the building has substantial natural light from front and rear windows, and they will coordinate with architects and the selected artist on lighting placement. The committee asked about ultraviolet exposure and material durability; Atilio said the windows meet high-performing energy/UV specifications though not "archival museum level," and that the selection and approval process will consider long-term maintenance and material choices.

On eligibility and process, staff said the RFQ will be qualifications-only (not proposals), open to U.S.-based applicants. Minimums discussed include roughly two years of artistic practice or exhibition history; Metro employees and artists currently under contract with Metro Arts will be ineligible (staff said they will confirm the exact scope with legal). The RFQ release target given to the committee was May 2025 with selection steps through the summer and committee review of shortlisted finalists prior to final approval.

The motion to approve the Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment public art project — an interior wall-mounted artwork with an artist budget of $400,000 and a national open call — passed by voice vote. The committee record shows the motion and a second on the floor and a voice vote of assent; individual names on the vote were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

The committee also noted the item will go to the full Arts Commission on April 30 for final approval before staff posts the RFQ and advances the selection process.

Ending: Staff said they will return to the committee with shortlists and concept approvals; the committee asked for continued attention to lighting, humidity control and maintenance during artist selection and concept review.