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A resolution to approve the criteria for Operating Support and Thrive grants for fiscal year 2027 for the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission.
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WHEREAS, Section 2.112.040(H) of the Metropolitan Code of Laws allows the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission (“Arts Commission”) to award funds appropriated to it by the Metropolitan Council to deserving nonprofit civic and nonprofit charitable organizations; and,
WHEREAS, Section 2.112.040(H) of the Metropolitan Code of Laws requires that criteria for awarding funds to arts organizations shall be established by the Arts Commission and approved by resolution of the Metropolitan Council, and such resolution shall indicate whether there is a change in the award criteria from the previous year; and,
WHEREAS, the Arts Commission voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 criteria for Operating Support and Thrive grants on April 15, 2026, copies of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein; and,
WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Support criteria is updated to include the requirement that organizations be in good standing with the Tennessee Secretary of State; that Metro Nashville Public Schools affiliated booster clubs and other organizations whose primary purpose is to support government agencies are not eligible; and that organizations whose primary purpose or activities involve religious practices or intent are not eligible; and,
WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2027 Thrive criteria is updated to include that organizations be in good standing with the Tennessee Secretary of State; that paid full-time executive level staff of organizations that received a Metro Arts General Operating Grant are not eligible; and that other organizations whose primary purpose is to support government agencies are not eligible; that the proposal must directly support the performance, exhibition, instruction, creation, or education in/of the arts; that proposals are ineligible if they do any of the following: primary purpose is workforce or career development, scholarly research, fundraising, create, install, or maintain public artwork in/on public property, or are an outdoor mural; and that training and professional development activities may not exceed 10% of requested amount and contingency funds may not exceed $500.00; and,
WHEREAS, approval of the Operating Support and Thrive grant criteria is in the best interest of the citizens of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the criteria for Operating Support and Thrive grants, copies of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein, are hereby approved.
Section 2. That this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This resolution approves the criteria for Operating Support and Thrive grants for the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission (“Arts Commission”) for Fiscal Year 2027.
Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-3-314(d) states that arts commissions formed by metropolitan governments may fund nonprofit organizations “involved in the study, participation in and appreciation of” the arts without approval from the Metropolitan Council. Section 2.112.040.H of the Metropolitan Code of Laws permits the Arts Commission to award funds appropriated by the Metropolitan Council to deserving nonprofit civic and nonprofit charitable organizations.
Metropolitan Code of Laws Section 2.112.040.H further requires that the criteria for awarding funds to arts organizations must be established by the Arts Commission and approved by a Council resolution. The Arts Commission voted to approve the criteria for Operating Support and Thrive grants on April 15, 2026.
Operating Support Grants Criteria
Operating Support grants will fund the general operations of arts-focused nonprofit organizations based in Nashville and Davidson County. Applicants must produce, present, or directly support artistic programs, projects, or work, have a primary mission to directly support the performance, exhibition, or instruction of art, and be chartered in the state of Tennessee and tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization. The organizations must have a business address in Davidson County, must operate the majority of its programming in Nashville, and must have background checks for all adults who work with youth. Grant funding may be used to fund salaries, artist fees, program and project supplies, facility rental, marketing, publication, consultant fees, equipment rental and purchase, and fundraising activities.
Grant funds may not be used for capital improvements, reduction of debts, programs with religious intent, political lobbying, or purchase of real property. Organizations already receiving operational budget amendments, “Friends of” organizations, and colleges and universities are not eligible for Metro Arts Operating grants.
Applications for Operating Support grants must be submitted by June 26, 2026.
Thrive Grants Criteria
Thrive grants are directed for individual artists, artist teams or collectives, and registered Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to support Thrive Art projects.
Individual artists, artist teams, and artist collectives, must apply with a fiscal sponsor to receive Thrive Project funding. Fiscal sponsors must be 501(c)(3) organizations chartered in the state of Tennessee. Fiscal sponsors and applicants must complete a Letter of Fiscal Sponsorship and Agreement that affirms the sponsor’s intent to serve in that role for a specific artist and project. Artists will be responsible for selecting their own fiscal sponsor, but the Arts Commission can help identify potential fiscal sponsors.
To be eligible, individual artists must be 18 years old and live or work primarily in Davidson County. Artist Collectives are organizations or artists teams without status as a 501(c)(3) organization which are based and conduct the majority of their programming in Davidson County.
Eligible nonprofit organizations must have a business address located in Davidson County and operate the majority of its programming in Nashville. All proposals must identify a lead artist or project lead in their application.
Thrive grant proposals must directly support the performance, exhibition, instruction, creation, or education of the arts. The project or program must take place in Davidson County and the project must obtain all permits, licenses and permissions required to comply with applicable law and regulations. All Thrive projects proposing to work directly with minors must have background checks for all adults.
Eligible expenses for grant funds include artist fees, project and program supplies, performance, venue, and facility fees, marking and promotion, equipment rental and/or purchase, and costs related to the event or community engagement activities. Thrive grant funds may not be used for payments to Metro employees, general operating expenses, capital improvements, purchase of real property, activities or programs with religious intent, study, or practice, political lobbying activities, or the creation, installation, and maintenance of public artwork.
Only one Thrive application will be accepted per applicant. Applications for Thrive Project Grants are due June 26, 2026.