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.

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​Please consider utilizing the following resources:

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• 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.

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• 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.

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Email us any time at arts.grants@nashville.gov throughout the application or grant period with questions, comments, and suggestions. This inbox is monitored and managed by multiple members of the grant support team.