Metro Arts uses local volunteer panelists for project grants and small operating support categories but for all arts organizations seeking operating support and have an operating budget of over $100,000/year, they are reviewed by 5 outside adjudicators every three years. Adjudicators are given a $1200 honorarium to review 25-30 applications and attend 2.5 days in Nashville for the public panel meetings. Metro Arts covers hotel accommodations and breakfast + lunch on panel meeting days. Panelists are responsible for their own travel and transportation costs. The 2.5 days of panel meetings only covers the review of programmatic and organizational effectiveness. A financial health assessment is completed separately by two local CPAs who are provided audits, 990s, and applicant responses to questions related to the organization’s financial policies and procedures. The CPAs are given $1,000 to review, score, and provide comments on 25-30 applications. It’s definitely an investment in adjudication years but we have found that the amount of professional feedback that the applicants get out of it is definitely worth it.

LAUREL FISHER

Grants Manager

METRO ARTS

Nashville Office of Arts + Culture

O / 615.862.6744

laurel.fisher@nashville.gov / artsnashville.org