The Metro Nashville Arts Commission’s (Metro Arts) Board of Commissioners today approved the reallocation of up to $50,000 in operational grant funds toward THRIVE awards to support artists and communities in Nashville and Davidson County.
Funding
Metro Arts created the THRIVE community arts funding program in 2014 to support artist-led projects that encourage cultural experiences, community investment and neighborhood transformation. While this year’s THRIVE budget has been disbursed, Metro Arts will fund this extra round of projects by reallocating a portion of their non-Metro unallocated operational grant funds.
Projects
For this round of THRIVE projects, Metro Arts seeks project proposals for unique, artistic responses to the circumstances impacting communities due to the March 3, 2020 tornado and the spread of the COVID-19 virus. All proposed projects should adhere to “safer at home” social distancing and disease prevention recommendations. Projects should be designed to uplift, connect and support the Nashville community during this unprecedented time. Artists may apply for funds between $500 and $2500.
Projects can include, but are not limited to:
- Online/streaming creative content
- Remote curriculum/art classes
- Visual art
- Videos
- Interactive workshops
- Performances
- Arts-based activities
- Public art or public space activations (that do not require human to human contact)
“THRIVE is a program that, for 6 years, has supported artist-driven projects in neighborhoods,” said Metro Arts Executive Director Caroline Vincent. “Just in the last year, THRIVE funds supported more than 200 artists, and 4,250 Nashvillians participated in THRIVE-funded programs and projects. Now more than ever, we believe artists drive a more vibrant and equitable community and are most certainly part of our resilience, our recovery and our healing.”
The extended THRIVE artist application is open now at MetroArtsNashville.com/thrive, and funds will be allocated on a rolling basis through June 15, 2020, or until expended.