Commission approves $5 supply fee and three new cultural-arts offerings at Bradley Academy

The Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Commission voted at its September meeting to add a $5 supply fee to the Express Yourself after-school arts program and to approve two new cultural-arts offerings at Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center.

Cultural-arts staff member Shayla told the commission the Express Yourself program has expanded “both in content and in participation” and proposed “an additional $5 supply fee” to cover rising material costs, raising the total per-participant charge from $5 to $10. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the fee by roll-call vote.

Shayla also presented two new programs. The Art Sampler night is a test-run 90-minute adult class run by cultural-arts staff, with a proposed $15 fee and an expected 15–20 participants per session. She said the program is intended to “make Bradley a destination” in downtown Murfreesboro. The commission approved the Art Sampler program by roll call.

The commission also approved a free, weekly photography-walk series for ages 16 and up that will begin at Murfreesboro Wetlands and rotate through other city parks; registration will collect participant contact information but there is no fee. That motion passed unanimously.

All three items were presented by cultural-arts staff, were moved and seconded during the meeting, and passed in roll-call votes. Staff said the Art Sampler will be managed by city staff for the initial run with the possibility of hiring outside teaching artists later; the photography walks will be staffed by cultural-arts personnel and require participants to provide their own cameras.

The commission did not set program start dates during the meeting; staff said scheduling and registration details will be published as the programs are finalized.