Metro Arts update: Ashley Bachelder named interim arts director; conciliation points reported met

Commissioners were updated that Metro Arts has met the items listed in a conciliation agreement and that Ashley Bachelder is serving as interim arts director.

At the meeting, a commissioner said a worksheet prepared by staff showed “all those [conciliation] points have been met,” and noted that Ashley Bachelder has been in the interim role since the previous Tuesday and that HR protections were in place for the position.

Commissioners described the interim appointment as an opportunity to embed equitable distribution practices into Metro Arts’ work while acknowledging the practical challenge of Bachelder’s absence from day‑to‑day duties. Staff said they have created a temporary hiring plan and are contracting a researcher to finalize the inclusivics report. The commission expects the inclusivics report to be released in April, matching the timing of the prior 2023 report.

Commission staff also reported that a manual prepared by Metro Legal had been distributed across Metro and included in the materials sent to commissioners; staff encouraged commissioners to read it and noted the manual is intended as an onboarding resource for new board and commission members.

When asked about the timeline to hire a permanent director, staff said a permanent search would take a minimum of six months and possibly longer. The commission said it has identified a research‑heavy staff position that will report to the interim arts director while the permanent director search proceeds.

Ending: Commissioners thanked staff for the work and encouraged community members to direct arts policy questions to the Metro Arts Commission as the agency responsible for policy and operations.