Metro Arts began installation of a bold, community-focused addition to Nashville’s Public Art Collection on Thursday, March 7. Located at The Fairgrounds Nashville, Loqui, designed by sculptor and public artist Blessing Hancock, is a monumental, 32 x 32 ft illuminated megaphone-shaped sculpture. It employs a sophisticated lighting system that will illuminate The Fairgrounds at night— enlivening the surrounding area with color patterns that play against the surface of the sculpture. The work is a testament to Nashville’s rich storytelling history and culture. Loqui, meaning “to speak” in Latin, will invite public interaction and incorporate words from local community members into the sculpture. “One of the most purposeful statements I received during the community engagement process in Nashville was that ‘Above all, people here are kind to each other. We uplift one another and come together to help our neighbors out when they need it the most,’” said Hancock. “I aim to establish a meaningful expression of this sentiment and to convey The Fairground’s value as a nationally recognized entertainment venue, through the inclusion of this contemporary artwork.” Blessing Hancock is a public artist creating monumental, site-specific sculptures. She has created more than 50 public and private sculptures internationally. This year, she is installing seven public art pieces across the United States, of which Loqui is her largest and most ambitious. “Loqui will offer the Fairgrounds and visitors a new way to live with art: a way in which art enriches the human experience and creates an atmosphere of participation, curiosity and connection to community,” Hancock said. The Fairgrounds Nashville is located on 117 acres less than two miles south of downtown, and has evolved into a vibrant hub of culture, community engagement, and economic growth. The addition of Hancock’s Loqui to The Fairgrounds complex will be an important reflection of the community to all who visit. Following an open call to artists in July 2019, the submission for Loqui was initially reviewed by a cohort of community panelists. Panelists then recommended Loqui to the Metro Arts Commission and was approved by the Commission in October 2019.  Work began in earnest in early 2020. The installation will culminate in a public unveiling and dedication in the summer of 2024. Councilmember Terry Vo represents District 17, where The Fairgrounds is located, and has been part of the conversation around Loqui since 2019. “Five years ago, I was entrusted with the responsibility of serving as one of the community panelists tasked with selecting Blessing Hancock to create the striking sculpture, Loqui, at The Fairgrounds Nashville,” said Vo. “I am looking forward to summer when the artwork will be completely installed and brought to life, illuminating our city day and night with the words and sentiments chosen by our fellow Nashvillians. This sculpture stands as a testament to our community’s collective voice, forging connections among us as neighbors and celebrating our shared identity.” You can follow the creation and installation process of Loqui at Metro Arts’ social media channels and email newsletter.

You may have heard recently about payment delays for the current Metro Arts funding cycle. We are writing to provide an update to the Nashville community. Over the past year, Metro Arts – alongside our arts community - has been raising awareness about the urgent need to increase the city’s investment in Nashville's arts ecosystem.  This past June, in addition to receiving our regular allocation from the city budget for the current funding cycle (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), Metro Arts received an additional, one-time allocation of $2 million for artists and arts organizations. This $2 million was tied to mid-year budget processes and will not be available for distribution until January 2024, which is different than the typical funding allocation process for Metro Arts funds. As such, we encountered several unexpected delays as we navigated new processes, timelines, and restrictions that, unfortunately, have affected the entire funding distribution process. We are working around-the-clock alongside Metro departments to distribute payments as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, we are actively reviewing our internal processes and systems to ensure that all future payments are issued in a timely manner. We recognize that Metro Arts funding is critical to our community, and we deeply regret the very real and significant impact that payment delays have had on local artists and arts organizations. We commit to doing better as we move forward and into the new year. Kind regards, Daniel Singh

On Wednesday, August 16th, Metro Arts unveiled Whistle, Two, Ready!, a new permanent public art installation created by Daily tous les jours. The artwork dedication was part of the Grand Opening (Phase 1) of Mill Ridge Park in Antioch, Tennessee. The park is a 600-acre property that will be home to playgrounds, exercise equipment, a circular path, trails, and interactive artwork. Whistle, Two, Ready! is a series of five bollards that are positioned within a linear pathway and marked with an inset linework. Together, they create a framework for musical exploration through interaction. The artwork encourages collaboration, and invites passers-by to take a musical shortcut through the park, uncovering new sounds, rhythms, and lights. How it works: Stepping on a line  triggers a short note or phrase. Each line will have a complementary sound which will layer into synced harmony and rhythm. Melodies are created.  As people circle around the bollards, the music becomes richer and more complex. Together, people create varied musical and visual compositions. With increasing footfall and simultaneous exploration, compositions emerge, with musical flourishes unlocked through deeper exploration and cooperation. One of the main creative features for the music is the incorporation of student recordings from the Cane Ridge High School Band, the Rhythmic Ravens.   During a community engagement session held with the artists, students at Cane Ridge learned about technical aspects of the artwork and how their music would be incorporated.  Using the measurements of a marching band, lines on the ground show people where to step. Rhythm is the foundation to the experience: it helps people intuitively synchronize movements. Fun facts about the music: Each bollard contains up to 105 audio files - different instruments, sounds, and layers of sound come in over time. 2 bollards provide the rhythmic foundation to the experience - the drum loops have all been recorded by the Cane Ridge High School band. 3 bollards play sounds by melodic marching band instruments, such as the tuba, the flute, the saxophone and the xylophone. Behind the Scenes of Whistle, Two, Ready! In 2018, Metro Arts formed a selection panel of local community members and design professionals to select a public artist to create a site-specific artwork at the new Mill Ridge Park. The panel selected Daily tous les jours, which leads an emergent field of practice that combines interactive art, storytelling, performance, and urban design to reinvent living together in the 21st century. Founded in 2010 by Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat, the award-winning Tiohtia:ke/Montréal-based studio has been producing projects that encourage citizens to play an active role in the transformation of their cities, with the public spaces we share everyday as the canvas. Daily tous les jours collaborated with local artist Robbie Lynn Hunsinger to assist with community engagement, technical work and project feedback. Community engagement included sessions with the public, Friends of Mill Ridge Park, and students from Cane Ridge High School.   Together, they reflected on the Antioch area’s distinct identity, the co-existence of nature and urban growth, its rich history and diversity (environmental, agricultural, social, and cultural), and things that are important to residents, including walking, seating, music, connection, play, and self-expression. This public art installation is funded through Metro Nashville’s Percent for Public Art Fund, established in 2000 under Mayor Bill Purcell. This fund allocates one percent of funding for designated projects in the Metro Capital Improvements Budget toward the commission of artworks in the Metro Public Art Collection. More information about Metro Nashville’s public art collection is available at www.metroartsnashville.com/public-art.

STAFF ​ Bee Cycle , Randy Purcell Public Art Collection s Manager Anne-Leslie Owens (she/her/hers) anne-leslie.owens@nashville.gov | 615-862-6732 ​ Contact Anne-Leslie for information about the Percent for Public Art Collection, artwork maintenance needs, and the current public art project at Arthur Avenue/I65 Underpass. Bee Cycle , Randy Purcell Social Media Specialist Asia Pyron (she/her/hers) asia.pyron@nashville.gov ​ Contact Asia for information about the Metro Arts Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and LinkedIn accounts, as well as Arts Alert, our bi-weekly e-newsletter. Public Art Project Manager Atilio Murga (he/him/his) atilio.murga@nashville.gov | 615-862-6733 Contact Atilio for general information, new project requests, and current public art projects at Mill Ridge Park, Nashville Fairgrounds, and Old Hickory Community Center. Finance + Operations Director Christiana Afotey (she/her/hers ) christiana.afotey@nashville.gov | 615-862-6721 Contact Christiana with questions about Metro Arts' budget, human resources or business services. Organizational + Artist Support Coordinator Chuck Beard (he/him/his) chuck.beard@nashville.gov | 615-862-6739 Contact Chuck with questions about community engagement, funding (including guidelines, technical assistance or deadlines), CARE (Committee for Anti-Racism and Equity), and REAL (Racial Equity in Arts Leadership). Restorative Arts and Equity Coordinator Claudia Lawhon (she/her/hers ) claudia.lawhon @nashville.gov Contact Claudia with questions about Metro Arts' Restorative Arts, Equity, and community programs. Executive Director Daniel Singh (he/him/his) daniel.singh@nashville.gov | 615-880-2377 Contact Daniel about equity initiatives, strategic planning and partnerships, creative economy, program implementation, public policy, arts education and advocacy initiatives. Communications Mana ger Daryn Jackson (she/her/hers ) daryn.jackson@nashville.gov | 615-862-4099 Contact Daryn with questions about marketing initiatives, communications activities, and media requests. Public Art Project Coordinator Jesse Ross (he /him) jesse.ross @nashville.gov | 615-862-6737 Contact Jesse for information about public art at Donelson Library, the Metro Arts Lending Library at various library branches, Permanent Supportive Housing artwork, and the local art gallery at Main Library. Public Art Manager Jessica Ingram (she/her/hers ) jessica.ingram@nashville.gov Contact Jessica with questions about our Public Art program, ongoing artist calls, community-based art projects, and other Public Art installations. Restorative Arts and Equity Manager Josiah Golson ( he/him/h is) josiah.golson@nashville.gov Contact Josiah with questions about Restorative Arts and Equity initiatives at Metro Arts. Public Art Project Coordinator Masonya Osei (she/her/hers) masonya.osei@nashville.gov Contact Masonya about ongoing Public Art projects and installations around Nashville. Cultural Planning Manager Mollie Berliss ( she/her/elle) mollie.berliss@nashville.gov Contact Mollie about the Metro Arts cultural planning process, which will launch in early 2024. Finance + Operations Coordinator Skylar Peterson (she/her/hers) skylar.peterson@nashville.gov Contact Skylar about Metro Arts' daily operations, procurement, invoices and payments. Strategic Grants + Initiatives Manager Sydnie Davis (she/her/hers) sydnie.davis@nashville.gov Contact Sydnie about Metro Arts partnerships, grants, Thrive, and other funding opportunities. Office Support Specialist Vivian Foxx (she/her/hers) vivian.foxx@nashville.gov Contact Vivian about the Metro Arts Board of Commissioners, public meeting notices, agendas, minutes, and meeting and event scheduling.

IMPACT + STRATEGY: PUBLIC ART THE PUBLIC ART COLLECTION The Public Art Collection is made up of 178 permanent public artworks found throughout Nashville/Davidson County. It includes artworks found in libraries, community centers, parks and within the transportation infrastructure. Learn more about the Collection through our Public Art Gallery . ​ Metro Arts maintains the public art collection through an ongoing schedule of routine maintenance as well as repair and restoration work. Please let us know if you see an artwork that needs maintenance or repair . ​ VISION AND VALUES Since the establishment of the Metro Public Art Program with a Public Art Ordinance in 2000, Metro Public Art has continued to listen to community needs and re-examine what “public art” can mean for Nashvillians. We believe that every Nashvillian deserves to experience a creative city and seek to frame public art as an ongoing conversation between artist and community. In 2017, the Public Art Committee and Arts Commission adopted the Public Art Community Investment Plan which serves as our roadmap for the next 5-10 years. The plan has informed many of the innovative new commissions and programs we have piloted in the past several years including temporary public art activations; community-based studios; artists em bedded in planning team; and artist residencies in Metro departments, nonprofits, and neighborhoods. For example, Build Better Tables, our award-winning curated temporary public art project from 2018, focused on food issues as a way to examine urban development and understand the effects of gentrification on community health and wellness. METRO ARTS PUBLIC ART COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PLAN + OTHER RESOURCES To see our strategic documents and learn more about our decision-making process, check out: Public Art Community Investment Plan (full plan) or go directly to Executive Summary , Theory of Change Poster , or Tools Section of Plan . Public Art Ordinance . This June 2000 ordinance established Metro Arts’ public art program by dedicating one percent (1%) of the net proceeds of certain Metro capital projects to fund the commission and purchase of public art. Public Art Committee and the Metro Arts Commission . The 7-member Public Art Committee advises the public art program and makes recommendations to the 15-member Metro Arts Commission, the board overseeing Metro Arts' strategic work. Public Art Guidelines . These guidelines outline the policies the Metro Arts Commission and the Public Art Committee follow to administer Metro Nashville’s public art collection and programs. Citizen Selection Panelist Nomination . Community members play a vital role in the development of public artworks as participants in community meetings with the artist and as members of citizen selection panels who make artist recommendations to the Public Art Committee. ​ ​

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Seasons from a Bird's Eye View, Paige Easter + Dan Goosetree Arts Build Communities (ABC) Grants * For arts organizations ​ Cultivate * For independent artists and arts organizations with revenues under $100,000 per year. * Application period has ended for 2023. Applications for next year will open in early 2024 if funds are available. ​ Operating Grants * For arts organizations ​ Thrive - Call for Artist Services * For independent artists and project-based support ​ Opera ting Grants, Thrive, Cultivate, and other funding opportunities are ma naged through Submittable.com . Submittable allows you to create an account free of charge. ​ Note: We suggest using the most updated version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari for the best user experience on Submittable. Submittable does not support Internet Explorer 11 or legacy versions of Microsoft Edge.