Metro Arts reports record 381 FY26 grant applications; approves updated Thrive scoring rubric

Metro Arts staff reported on Aug. 28 that the FY26 grant cycle drew a record 381 combined applications — 275 for the Thrive project grants and 106 for general operating support — and the commission approved a minor change to the Thrive scoring rubric to make alignment with the program’s goals explicit.

Staff summary and application breakdown: Director Ashley Batchelder and grants staff said applications were open for four weeks and closed Aug. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Of the 381 total applications, staff said 223 arrived on the final day alone. Thrive applications, open to individual artists, collectives and organizations proposing project-based work, totaled 275; operating-support applications totaled 106. Staff reported that 55 Thrive applicants were first-time applicants, and the remaining applicants included returning grantees and prior applicants that had not previously been funded.

Why it matters: Staff said the growth in applications reflects increased outreach and demand for project and operating funding. The commission discussed capacity constraints at Metro Arts (staffing vacancies), the policy trade-offs of the existing funding formulas (operating grants use a pass/fail eligibility threshold while Thrive awards are rank-ordered and funded until funds are exhausted), and policy goals to support smaller organizations and artist-led projects.

Panels, timeline and conflict-of-interest process: Staff outlined a compressed schedule. Panels will be held in person on Sept. 11 (Thrive) and Sept. 12 (operating); Metro Arts will use six panels total. Staff said recommendations will be compiled and sent to the grants committee the week of Sept. 17, with the grants committee meeting scheduled for Sept. 25 and recommendations to the full commission after that. Staff also said they will circulate conflict-of-interest guidance in advance and requested commissioners consider household and board relationships when disclosing conflicts.

Rubric change and vote: Staff proposed adding a fourth rubric question that asks reviewers to evaluate how well applications align with the Thrive program goals (community engagement, neighborhood impact and cultural equity). The language was taken from the published guidelines and therefore not new to applicants, staff said. Commissioner Knight moved to approve the updated FY26 Thrive scoring rubric; Commissioner Cole seconded. The motion carried. (See “Votes at a glance” below for the formal motion record.)

Community Arts Leaders and internships: Staff also gave a brief update on the Community Arts Leaders of Nashville program. Metro Arts will launch host-site applications Sept. 3 through Oct. 3 and internships applications Oct. 3 through Nov. 3; staff aim to place six to eight paid internships during the spring semester and match students to host sites and mentors by early winter with programming beginning in February.

Staffing and next steps: Staff noted current vacancies (grants manager, public-art manager and a finance role), the need for additional capacity to handle the increased number of grantees, and a plan to provide historical award-distribution data and recommended funding scenarios to commissioners in advance of the Sept. 25 grants committee meeting.

Ending note: Staff asked commissioners to review materials distributed in advance; they said they would provide the grants committee recommendations by Sept. 17 to allow one week for commissioner review before the Sept. 25 meeting.