The Invited Editorial:
Rebuilding Trust, Reimagining Access: Metro Arts in Transition
(The following invited editorial was written by Darius Barati, the Public Information Officer at Metro Arts: Nashville Office of Arts and Culture at the request of the editors at Music City Review.)
In a year marked by transformation and recommitment, the Metro Nashville Arts Commission (Metro Arts) has focused its energy on restoring trust, expanding access, and strengthening the systems that support Nashville’s creative community. Under the leadership of Interim Executive Director Ashley Bachelder and a dedicated staff, Metro Arts has renewed its mission of ensuring that every Nashvillian has access to a creative life through grants, public art, and community-centered programming and outreach. Under Bachelder’s leadership, Metro Arts has emerged from a period of instability with renewed clarity and purpose, implementing systems that restore reliability and consistency across the agency.
For FY26, Metro Arts awarded $3.26 million in grants to 165 recipients across Davidson County, including 79 nonprofit arts organizations through General Operating Support and 86 artist-led initiatives via Thrive grants. Thrive applications rose to a record 275, reflecting both the community’s creative energy and the growing need for increased investment. This cycle marked a turning point in the agency’s commitment to equitable funding and operational transparency.
“Our team worked diligently to be present and accessible,” said Bachelder. “We hosted outreach and feedback sessions, offered virtual office hours, and listened directly to the needs of artists and organizations. This year’s cycle marks a meaningful step toward restoring trust and consistency in how we support the arts in Nashville.”
The impact of these grants is already visible. First-time Thrive recipient Amanda Ewing shared, “Having the support of Thrive to unmute the transmission of history, spirit, and sound feels deeply meaningful.” Her funded project, The Banjo Knows the Way, will offer hands-on cultural workshops where young participants craft their own gourd banjos while exploring the rich, often untold history of the instrument. “Metro Arts’ support makes it possible to give a voice to stories that have been quieted for too long, and that means the world.”
Echoing this statement, Karina Garcia and Mayra Gonzalez, co-executive directors of La Misión ConArte and first-time recipients of a General Operating Support grant, said, “Metro Arts’ Operating Support affirms the value of our work and strengthens our ability to build lasting, authentic connections across generations.”
With the next grant cycle set to open in Spring 2026, Metro Arts is refining its systems to meet growing demand. “We’re focused on quality improvement,” said Bachelder. “Expanding access means expanding capacity. We’re building the infrastructure to ensure our processes stay on time, are transparent, and deliver what we promise.”
Beyond grants, Metro Arts celebrated the dedication of the They Fought with Words: Leaders, Lawyers and Educators mural at the Looby Community Center, a powerful tribute to civil rights leader Z. Alexander Looby and other changemakers. Led by Creative Girls Rock® and muralist Elisheba Mrozik, the project was funded through Metro’s Participatory Budgeting program and now stands as a permanent addition to the city’s public art collection.
Public art remains a cornerstone of Metro Arts’ work. Installation is now underway for Wings of Time, a suspended sculpture by Gordon Huether at the Old Hickory Community Center. Inspired by community feedback and the natural beauty of the area, the piece features life-sized Great Blue Herons crafted from dichroic acrylic and crystal, casting vibrant reflections that shift with changing light and movement. As the first public art installation in District 11, Wings of Time honors Old Hickory’s community history and evolving identity.
Construction is also underway for Be As Water, a transformative lighting installation beneath the I-65 bridge at Arthur Avenue. Designed by artist Alex Braden, the piece honors North Nashville’s resilience and creativity, turning a symbol of division into a beacon of connection, while also improving safety and visibility. This installation is a collaboration between Metro Arts and the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT).
At Strobel House, Nashville’s first permanent supportive housing facility, artist Omari Booker is creating a new art installation that reflects the dignity and humanity of residents who have experienced homelessness. “Art saved my life,” Booker said. “And I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience art’s impact.”
Metro Arts is also laying the groundwork for major projects that will shape Nashville’s cultural landscape for years to come. At the future Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment (NYCE), artist William Massey will create a signature installation that embodies transformation and hope. Massey’s work will greet families and youth at the trauma-informed facility, which reimagines juvenile justice through a holistic, community-centered lens. In Historic Bordeaux, Metro Arts has plans to advance the existing “Welcome to Bordeaux” gateway sign with permanent artwork designed by a local artist and informed by community input.
These projects and grants reflect a broader shift in how Metro Arts approaches public investment with a focus on transparency and a deep respect for community voice, reaching underserved neighborhoods, strengthening public systems, and building lasting infrastructure for artistic growth. This past year has been a time of operational renewal and recalibration, with staff working to improve communications, streamline processes, and restore public trust.
“We have incredible people committed to this work,” said Bachelder. “And I want that to be seen and felt.”
As Nashville’s creative sector expands in scale and complexity, Metro Arts is committed to meeting the moment with integrity, responsiveness, and a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts.
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