When will Metro Arts 2023 grant recipients be paid? We don't know. 2024 Grant Reviews put on Hold.

by CHAR DASTON, WPLN, MARCH 29, 2024 - It’s been a week since Nashville’s Finance Director, Kevin Crumbo, announced that he’ll take charge of paying the arts community the grant money promised them by Metro Arts in 2023. This plan is meant to resolve months of delays and disputes over the amounts each artist and arts organization will receive. But Crumbo has not given a timeline for the payments, or explained how Metro Arts will be involved in the process. 

Until the 2023 grants are paid, Metro Arts staff and commissioners say they’re putting the upcoming grant review cycle on hold. That affects a record number of artists and organizations who applied for funding back in January. 

Moreover, Crumbo is hesitant to fund the next round of grants, saying he lacks confidence in Metro Arts leadership. And Mayor Freddie O’Connell has said there may not be additional money to accommodate the higher number of applicants. 

“(Fiscal year) ’25 is not going to be a year where we look to increase investments in ... (read more)

Also see:

•  Metro Finance steps in to take over agency’s finances as embattled director Daniel Singh looks for new job out of state
• How Did Metro Arts Get Here?
• Things are still, still a mess at the Metro Arts Commission. Mismanagement could Imperil Metro Arts Budget. Race-based funding could be Unconstitutional.
• Metro Arts Commission, sicker by the day. Will Cheek to Resign amid Death Threats.
• Metro Arts Commision still Crazy after all These Years. Racism causes Director to take Sick Leave.
• Things are still a mess at the Metro Arts Commission. Metro Arts launches initiative to 'return land, money, and resources' to 'Indigenous, African, and Asian peoples'

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