The Metro Nashville Arts Commission is wondering how it should move forward after complaints of a hostile work environment.
Earlier this year, staffers of color made complaints, which created backlash from the arts community.
Metro is one of the largest funders of Nashville’s art ecosystem, and racial equity is a high priority for how it funds outside groups. So when the department fell short of its standards, the community was quick to hold Metro Arts accountable.
Since the spring, the department has brought on new leaders, including Executive Director Daniel Singh.
“It’s going to be messy, and we’re probably going to back up there apologizing several times,” he says. “But I think that’s part of the process. That’s just like our life, and that’s just like how artists make art. It’s not a linear process.”
Prior to being hired by Metro, Singh was on the board of the Maryland Citizens for the Arts, which is a part of the Arts Council. He worked on increasing funding for the arts, making progress in equitable funding practices and getting direct grants to artists from the state and county arts agencies.
Singh says the staff has been doing trainings with the city’s diversity equity and inclusion officer Andrea Blackman. This summer, she addressed the fact that half of the department’s employees left, and she recommended a path forward.
The first community listening session is Wednesday night from 6 to 7:30 at 120 White Bridge Road, or on the NECAT Network. There will be American Sign Language services available.
Next Tuesday, Nov. 1, there will be another session from 6 to 7 p.m. on Zoom. Arabic, Kurdish, Spanish and American Sign Language interpretation services will be available.
Update: This story has been updated to include Spanish as an interpretive service available at the Nov. 1 meeting.
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