Mayor Freddie O’Connell is applauding the approval of a conciliation agreement by the Metro Human Relations Commission earlier this week. The agreement adds muralists and small or micro-organizations to those receiving funding to support their work and guides other process improvements to Metro Arts grant processes and procedures.
“This is an important step forward, and I appreciate everyone who worked to fully fund our artists and set a framework for future equitable arts grant programs,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell shared. “Nashville is a strong community of thriving arts organizations and artists. Our creative class is an instrumental part of the fabric of the community and makes us uniquely Nashville.”
Metro Human Relations Commission Director Davie Tucker celebrated the commitment to progress shown by all involved. “Three months ago, representatives from multiple Metro departments and communities committed to participate in a conciliation process,” Tucker said. “To do so voluntarily, committed all of us to resolve this issue and to not focus on the faults of one side or another. Yesterday’s conciliated agreement speaks to what is possible in a city of divergent ideas and the many societal issues that we face.”
As part of the conciliation agreement:
- The Department of Law will make payments to muralists and small, micro-organizations which is expected to total an additional $565 thousand in funding. The Department of Law has already made payment to nearly all of the other artists and arts organizations connected to the 2024 grant cycle.
- The agreement will allow for an extended reporting period for artists and would allow spending on any arts project during the grant period if the original project is impossible now due to the delay in funding.
- The agreement confirms the Metro Departments of Law and Finance will work with the Arts Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, Metro Council, and others to find a legal path to protect the Thrive Program or something similar which allows for payments to individual and independent artists.
- The Metro Nashville Arts Commission will conduct community engagement around new grant policies and procedures.
Three independent legal counsels worked over the last few weeks to craft the conciliation agreement that Mayor O’Connell called a fresh start for the arts in Nashville. The conciliation agreement now moves to the Metro Nashville Arts Commission for a vote at a future meeting.