Metro Arts Opportunities

 

Employment:

There are no employment opportunities at this time.

Calls to Artists:

Request for Proposals - NYCE Empowerment Collection​

Metro Arts is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Empowerment Collection at the Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment (NYCE). Twenty permanent, site‑specific, wall‑hung artworks will highlight the new Juvenile Justice Court facility. 

NYCE will be a family‑oriented, trauma‑informed campus at Trinity Lane & I‑24. This campus will be the future home of the Davidson County Juvenile Court and services for justice‑involved youth and families. The facility, inspired by the vision of Judge Sheila Calloway, a champion for youth empowerment, will be designed to foster dignity, safety, and empowerment for youth and families.

The Empowerment Collection will be installed in corridors, waiting rooms, and gathering spaces within the NYCE facility ensuring that the public will interact with the art daily. Each selected artist contributes one unique permanent piece to the collection. Metro Arts requests artists create a site-specific, 30” x 40” wall-hung permanent artwork reflecting appropriate themes.

Interested artists must attend at least one Metro Arts engagement before submitting. Each session will cover the mission and goals of the Juvenile Justice Court, Metro Arts, and the communities they serve to help artists align proposals.

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Online Engagement Schedule:

• Monday, January 12, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. (Register here)

• Monday, January 26, 2026 – 3:30 p.m. (Postponed to February 2)

• Monday, February 2, 2026 – 3:30 p.m. (Register here)

• Monday, February 9, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. (Register here)

• Thursday, February 19, 2026 – 3:30 p.m. (Register here)

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Only one submission per artist will be accepted. Open to artists in Davidson & surrounding counties. Must be 18+ with at least two years of exhibition or public art experience. Selected artists receive $5,000 (Metro Arts covers installation).

Submissions Opens: January 30th, 2026

Deadline: March 6th, 2026 (11:59 p.m. cst)

Selection Process: April–May 2026

Final Artwork Due: September 1, 2026

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Complete guidelines available here.

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Calls to Mentors:

There are no mentor opportunities at this time.

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Calls for Community Panelists:
There are no community panelists opportunities at this time.

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Internships:

There are no internship opportunities at this time.

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Non-Metro Arts Opportunities​​

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Tennessee Craft - Executive Director

Tennessee Craft seeks an experienced Executive Director (ED) to lead a statewide organization promoting handmade craft art. Responsibilities include strategic and operational leadership, planning, fundraising, and f iscal accountabilities. The role requires interfacing as the primary spokesperson with members, donors, partners, arts organizations, government entities, and the public. Oversee organization’s administrative, regulatory, permitting, and finance functions. This full-time hybrid position offers flexible hours, requiring residence near Nashville.

Full details are available here.

Those interested in applying should submit their resume/CV and cover letter to info@tennesseecraft.org.​​​​

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Daybreak Arts - Artist Mentor Program

Daybreak Arts is launching a 5-month pilot mentorship program from March 2026 through July 2026 for the Next Horizon Academy, a structured and skills-based education program designed to help artists experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity in the Daybreak Artist Collective program advance their creative practice and build career pathways in the arts.

Full details and application are available here.

Deadline to apply: Monday, February 16, 2026 (11:59pm)

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Orozco Gallery - Call for Artists

Orozco Gallery is issuing a call for artistsfor a group exhibition and series of artist talks in 2026. This call is open to emerging, underrepresented, and established visual artists within a 100-mile radius of Nashville. Orozco is especially seeking work that centers on BIPoC and Queer experiences and reflects a wide range of creative perspectives.

Exhibition opens: March 20, 2026

Artist talks: March 26–27, 2026

Location: KC Potter Center, Nashville, TN

Learn more & apply here.

Deadline to apply: February 25, 2026

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The Tennessee Arts Commission - Individual Artist Fellowship (IAF):​​

The Tennessee Arts Commission's Individual Artist Fellowship (IAF) is offering $5,000 awards to recognize and support outstanding professional artists who add to the state's cultural vitality.

Learn more here.

Deadline: February 3, 2026​​​​​​​