Metro Arts appoints Ashley Batchelder interim executive director amid staffing shortfalls

The Metro Arts Commission on Jan. 16 appointed Ashley Batchelder as interim executive director of Metro Arts to stabilize operations as the department completes an accelerated grant cycle and addresses multiple staff vacancies.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the department needs an interim leader who understands the grants timetable, Metro operations and cross-department relationships to avoid jeopardizing the recently adopted grant rules and upcoming deadlines. Chair West and Director Hall stressed that filling the interim role quickly was necessary to authorize hires and manage contract execution.

Background and staff briefing: Director Hall told the commission that the department is operating with several senior vacancies, including finance and operations manager, public art manager and public information officer, and that delays in appointing an executive director would impede hiring and other legally required functions. Hall recommended an internal, temporary appointment model where a Metro employee takes a leave from their home department to serve as interim director and returns when a permanent director is selected.

Candidate and qualifications: Metro Human Relations Commission staff member Ashley Batchelder introduced herself and outlined her background. She has worked at the Metro Human Relations Commission for about two and a half years as director of policy and research; before that she worked in local nonprofit and public-health settings and holds dual master's degrees. Batchelder told commissioners she had helped lead work connected to the Title VI conciliation agreement and said she has established working relationships across Metro departments central to operationalizing the grants process. "I feel confident in my ability to set up systems and policies, procedures, and the training that is needed to follow those," she said.

Vote and administrative next steps: The commission voted to appoint Batchelder as interim executive director. The vote passed on a roll-call vote. Director Hall asked the commission to delegate administrative authority to set a mutually agreeable start date, to complete leave and payroll matters and to finalize other start logistics. The commission delegated those tasks to Director Hall and Chair West by voice vote.

Concerns and context: Director Tucker and other commissioners reiterated the urgency created by the conciliation agreement's remaining item (grant funding criteria) and by imminent grant and budget deadlines. Commissioners also discussed the need to fill other vacant senior staff positions promptly to avoid further operational gaps.

Ending: The interim appointment is intended to be temporary while Metro HR and the commission move forward with a permanent executive search. Commissioners asked for monthly reporting and committed to supporting the interim director with committee resources and cross-department cooperation.