FY27 Grant Announcements
Metro Arts is preparing to launch the FY27 cycle of General Operating Support and Thrive Project grants. Commission-approved Operating and Thrive Grant Guidelines are now available for review:
These guidelines were unanimously approved by the Metro Arts Commission on April 15, 2026. You can watch the full commission meeting below:
The guidelines include eligibility criteria, review process, important dates and a timeline, post-award details, application questions, and scoring rubrics. All dates are subject to change until the required approval process is complete. If you have questions, comments, or feedback, you may contact Metro Arts staff at arts.grants@nashville.gov.
These guidelines will head to Council for approval on May 7. Pending approval, we anticipate grant applications opening on May 8.
Updates will be available online and shared through the Arts Alert! Newsletter (sign up here to receive updates).
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Applications Are Now Open for Grant Panelists
Metro Arts is seeking community members to serve as grant panelists! Panelists review and score applications to inform funding recommendations for General Operating Support and Thrive Project Grants. Panelists play a critical role in Metro Arts’ grant programs and this is an impactful way to support Nashville artists and arts organizations. This is a paid opportunity, and selected panelists will receive a stipend of $500.
Review the full FY27 Panelist Guidelines
Applications available at: https://mnac.submittable.com/submit
Deadline to apply: Monday, June 15, 2026, 4:59 PM
The review process will take place in July. All selected panelists will attend a mandatory virtual training (July 13 or 14), independently review their assigned applications (July 14 – 28), and attend one in-person, full-day panel discussion (July 29 or 30).
Panelists must live in Davidson or a surrounding county, be at least 18 years old, and have a demonstrated interest in the arts. Please review the Panelists Guidelines for more details about this opportunity, eligibility, expectations, and important dates.
Metro Arts makes every effort to find and select panelists and compose review panels to include a variety of professional and personal backgrounds, subject matter expertise, lived experiences, artistic disciplines, geographic representation, and diversity of gender, age, race, ethnicity, and ability. Not all who apply will be selected.
Before applying, please review the full FY27 Panelist Guidelines. Prospective panelists should apply on Metro Arts’ Submittable. You may also nominate someone to serve as a panelist. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2026.
About Metro Arts
Metro Nashville Arts Commission or “Metro Arts” is the office of Arts + Culture for Nashville and Davidson County. We believe that arts drive a more vibrant and equitable community. We strive to ensure that all Nashvillians have access to a creative life through community investments, artist and organizational training, public art and creative placemaking coordination and direct programs that involve residents in all forms of arts and culture.
OUR IMPACT
Learn more on how we are connecting the community with the arts.
