GÎHAN
This cycle covers 176 grants totaling $3,262,593 to support nonprofit arts organizations and artist-led community projects across Davidson County. These awards (90 General Operating Support grants and 86 Thrive project grants) reflect the creativity and resilience of Nashville’s arts community and will help sustain programs, deepen community engagement, and spark new work across Nashville. We thank the artists, organizations, review panelists, and community members whose care and commitment shaped this competitive process, and we remain focused on improving access and resources for all who create in Nashville.
The full list of Thrive and General Operating Support recipients are available below:
We will also host several opportunities to share information, hear from you, and offer continued support. We will hold two in-person Report Back Sessions, during which we will provide an overview of Metro Arts grant processes and outcomes, with time for optional Q&A and group discussion. A video recording of the Report Back will also be available on the Metro Arts website in late September. We will also have in-person drop-in sessions where you can come any time during the time window to discuss questions or thoughts you may have about the grants process or any other areas of interest. These sessions will be offered on the following dates and locations:
-
Report Back: Wednesday, September 16, 5:30-6:30 PM at Southeast Library
-
Report Back: Wednesday, September 30, 1:15-2:15 PM at Inglewood Library
-
Drop-in: Friday, September 25, 8-11 AM at Nashville Farmers’ Market
-
Drop-in: Wednesday, September 30, 3-6 PM at Inglewood Library
In addition, we will offer a Grant Writing Support Session on Tuesday, September 22, from 5:30-7pm at the Bordeaux Library. This facilitated working session will provide space for greater education, support, and clarity about our grants or others you may be working on. A sign‑up form will be shared closer to the date.
FY27 Grants Update 6/27/26
Our application window for FY27 Operating Support grants has officially closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted!
Metro Arts General Operating Support Grants provide funding for the general operations of arts-focused nonprofit organizations based in Davidson County. An arts-focused organization is one whose primary mission is to directly support the performance, exhibition, or instruction of art and whose majority of programming supports the performance, exhibition, instruction, creation, or education in the arts. The full Operating Support Grant guidelines are available here.
Please consider utilizing the following resources:
-
The Operating Support Resource Guide includes FAQs and guidance for preparing your proposal.
-
Video Walkthrough of Grant Guidelines: Metro Arts staff provide an overview of eligibility criteria, processes, requirements, and more. An abridged version of the slides used in the video are available here.
-
Information Sessions: Attend an information session for an overview of the Guidelines and plenty of time for questions and discussion:
-
Monday, May 18, 2026, 10:00-11:00am: Virtual on Webex. Please RSVP to receive a link.
-
Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 4:00-5:00pm at the Metro Arts Office at Metro Southeast (1417 Murfreesboro Pike). No RSVP required.
-
-
Drop-in Office Hours and Co-Working: Our first Drop-In session will be held on Friday, May 15 from 8 AM - 12 PM at the Downtown Farmer's Market. No appointments or RSVPs necessary, just drop by to ask questions and/or work on your application. Our drop-in schedule is as follows:
-
Friday, May 15, 8-11 AM: Downtown Farmer’s Market
-
Friday, May 22, 8-11 AM: Downtown Farmer’s Market
-
Wednesday, May 27, 1-4 PM: Looby Library
-
Friday, May 29, 10 AM-4 PM: Drkmttr
-
Thursday, June 4 (12 PM to 3 PM) at Looby Library
-
Tuesday, June 9 (1 PM to 5 PM) at McCabe Center
-
Friday, June 12 (8 AM to 11 AM) at the Downtown Farmer’s Market
-
Monday, June 15 (12 PM to 3 PM) at Plaza Mariachi
-
Monday, June 22 (12 PM to 2:30 PM) at the Edgehill Library Branch
-
Wednesday, June 24 (8 AM to 11 AM) at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, with Coffee Talk from 9:30 AM to 11 AM
-
Friday, June 26 (9 AM to 3 PM) at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
-
-
Sign up for 1:1 Virtual Meeting: Sign up for a 30-minute virtual session with Metro Arts staff using Microsoft Bookings at the link here. Please prepare specific questions beforehand to ensure we can cover as much as possible in our time together.
-
Metro Arts Submittable: All applications must be submitted in Submittable.
Email us any time at arts.grants@nashville.gov with questions, comments, and suggestions. This inbox is monitored and managed by multiple members of the grant support team.
.jpg)
Grant partners: You can find our most-requested forms and reports on our Partner Tools page.
For questions or assistance, please contact Metro Arts staff at Arts.grants@nashville.gov.
We strive to provide individuals with disabilities and all community members with equitable access to Metro Arts opportunities. To request accommodations, please contact Vivian Foxx at 615-862-6730, TTY Relay Service 800-848-0298.