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Confused about the 'Percent for Art' project? No worries, We've come up with a list of five ways it can help the local Nashville artist.

More funds for public artwork means more public art displays.  More public art displays means more art tourists, and this has already resulted in a fleet of more art buyers, critics and artists into Nashville.

Part of the Public Art Initiative is to benefit growing and learning artists with more art classes, business forums, networking mixers and competitions offered by the Nashville Metro Art Commission.

Cultural diversity is very important to Nashville, which is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country.  Since the Public Art Program, projects that will honor women, Vietnamese war veterans, Native Americans and African-Americans have already ensued.

Committed to Nashville's identity, the Public Art Program will fuse Nashville's authentic country cowboy, independent music and historical culture scenes in all of public artwork, and has already done with works like "The Microphone."

Nashville’s hand in the Civil Rights Movement has been overlooked far too long.

As the Athens of the South, four black colleges exist in Nashville, where students and faculty helped propel the “Nashville Movement” of the Civil Right’s Movement.

Despite monuments and artifacts in the Nashville Public Library, little knowledge is shared in town about the Nashville Movement.  However,  the “Nashville sit-ins”, which lasted nearly three months, were instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement, and were organized by Nashville’s own black college students.  Passionate about Nashville’s historical and artistic diversity, Metro Arts plans to mark and celebrate the Nashville Movement the best way it knows how, through art.

Five semi-finalists will submit artwork in April for a chance to publicly honor the historical “Nashville Movement” of the Civil Rights Movement, where Nashville’s four black colleges launcehd a sit-in protesting segregated school lunches February 13, 1960.

The Nashville Student Movement and Nashville Christian Leadership Council adopted the same nonviolent ideology as Dr. King, and with such, members, consisting mainly of black college students, participated in multiple sit-in protests throughout the city, often subject to verbal and physical harassment.

Even the team of 13 lawyers defending the students at trial were subject to harrassment.  Assailants even bombed the home of Z. Alexander Looby, who lead the lawyers. Neither he or his wife were harmed, and it was the leading lawyer who approached Nashville's then Mayor Ben West about changing laws concerning segregation.  Mayor West agreed lunches should not be segregated, and shortly after, downtown lunch counters were desegregated.

As a former self-proclaimed “starving artist” and art teacher at Granbery Elementary School, I’ve had the pleasure of soaking up Nashville’ s unique art scene my entire life, and I know how it feels to be frustrated with a lack of resources for artists.

I’m a music-lover, passionate sculpter, and Cheekwood frequenter.  I love all things art, and have always searched for more ways to get involved with the art scene in the city.  I love seeing beautiful artwork exposed, and helping and watching young artists grow and blossom. 

I learned about Nashville’s Public Art Program while attending a sculpting class at Nashville State offered by Metro Arts.  The instructor told us about a new plan to integrate urban design and public improvement, and I was immediately intrigued.  Here, we could finally prove what all of us new for so long… art in Nashville is important, and it doesn’t have to be music to be economically valuable.

My 1st Street architectural debut, Flotus, may have been a turning point for me as an artist and proud Nashvillian.  When I shook hands with the mayor and Metro Arts Committee, I realized I didn’t just want to benefit from the Public Art Program, I wanted to benefit others.  I wanted to be a force in a movement that I know will soon put Nashville on the map as one of the art capitals of the country, as well as the music capital.  It was then I knew that Nashville has always loved and supported its artists, the Public Art Program was just the latest evidence.

Though it sometimes sounds like a quirky music scene is Nashville’s loudest characteristic, the Nashville Metro Arts Commission is proof that other artistic entities are valued and vibrant in Nashville's community.  Though it sometimes sounds like a quirky music scene is Nashville’s loudest characteristic, the Public Art Program is proof that other artistic entities are valued and vibrant in Nashville's community.

The beautiful Music City Center is a proud accomplishment of the Nashville Metro Arts Commission, but the arts-centered state agency is just as proud of the accomplishments of Nashville’s visual art community, and expects the Public Art Program shine light on Nashville’s alternative art, as well.

Before becoming a member of the Public Art Program Committee, local artist Frannie Lee (Microphone) wrote a strongly-worded, passionate email to former Mayor Bill Purcell.  Since working with and benefiting from the Public Art Program, her views have evolved far more optimistically.  However, many committee members felt it was an adequate representation of frustration felt by many talented, frustrated and overlooked artists in the Nashville area.

Mayor Purcell:

I am sending this email from the library down the street from my apartment on Edmonson Road, since I don’t own my own computer.  I walked all this way (without a car) because I felt it was imperative I inform you that I just broke my last paintbrush.

I wonder if my last sentence would resonate with you differently if I changed the word “paintbrush” to “microphone” or “guitar.”  You have proven your commitment to Nashville’s beautiful music scene tirelessly; your relationships with the Grande Ole Opry and various country stars have spoken loudly.

I broke my last paintbrush because I’ve painted with it for too long.  Hours in front of an easel everyday have worn it brittle, and as with all art supplies eventually, time has demanded it be replaced.  I received my last paycheck two weeks ago (I’m an art teacher), and was able to buy more clay, canvas and paint.  That was all I could afford at the time.  The paintbrush would have to wait until next month.

I probably won’t paint anything for about three weeks, unless I borrow my classroom’s art supplies, which I would never dream of doing.  As an artist and art educator, it is undeniable that my work will suffer as a result. 

I am not asking for a handout.  I am asking that you realize there is more art in Nashville than just music, and that it deserves to be honored, protected and supported as well.  My students shouldn’t have to wait weeks before receiving more art supplies, and I shouldn’t have to go two weeks with no resources to create as an art teacher.  Nashville’s visual art community needs more help.

Signed,

An Artist Tired of Starving

Frannie Lee

Shortly after this letter was written, the Public Art Program was created.

The Public Art Program is a resource for Nashville artists, determined to strengthen the positive reputation of the community, enhance the civic environment, and enrich the lives of citizens and visitors through the involvement of professional artists to integrate public artwork.

Because of the Public Art Program, almost 20 works of art have been added to the public art collection, which is displayed in the most scenic areas of Nashville, such as The Gulch, the riverside, and Music Row.

Joining the Public Art Committee isn't a piece of cake, but if you're passionate about Nashville's art scene, you could have a new member story to tell as well.

Members of the Public Art Committee include design professionals, art professionals, and community and site representatives.  Although most recent members were working artists, you don't need ease with an easel to join.

Public Art Committee Members are often selected by panelists, artists and nominated by the community.  Members are not required to be working artists, but some proof of heavy involvement or experience in Nashville's art culture is necessary.

Public Art Committee members choose the artwork to be displayed in scenic parts of the city and lobby for more art resources in Nashville.  They also provide education through the Nashville Metro Arts Commission, as well as business initiatives for art organizations.

Of course, Nashville loves all of its beautiful art, but check out the video to see why urban design is its current favorite.

"Ghost Ballet for the East Bank" is only one of sixteen public urban design fixtures displayed since the Public Art Program was implemented.  This beautiful artwork is the perfect representation of how urban design can affect local economics.

As highlighted in the video, since the Public Art Program, far more businesses in Nashville seen the value in "quality of life" fixtures, which add to the beauty of the city and spotlight the company's creativity.

Frannie Lee

Years ago, I was blessed to have 'Microphone' selected by the Public Art Program to be displayed on Music Row.  Today, I have been selected as a member of the Metro Nashville Arts Commission.  I could go on and on about how my passion for our great Music City inspired 'Microphone,' or how important art is to the growth of Nashville, but I'm just going to get straight to the point.  Too many talented artists in Nashville don't know about the Public Art Program.  I want to change this by telling my story.

  I didn’t come from a household that appreciated art, a cultural conundrum for a young person growing up in Nashville.  My family told me from an early age that art was not a reliable career, so I’d assumed my life would be a constant battle of practicality vs. happiness.  When I turned 18, I moved into a cheap apartment with friends, and struggled to make ends meet waiting tables and taking art classes.

 I didn’t learn about the Metro Nashville Arts Commission (Metro Arts) until I fell sick in 2011.  I had pneumonia, and with no health insurance, I didn’t even want to think about my choices.  When an acquaintance told me about Metro Arts’ Insurance for the Creative Community, I nearly cried.  Not only would I be able to go to the hospital and receive covered treatment, but I could have a yearly check-up, a cost I hadn’t considered in a long time.  For the first time, I felt like I was valued and appreciated as an artist.  It was then that I knew Nashville valued its art community.

Shortly after receiving treatment, I began saving money by taking free art classes offered by Metro Arts.  It was there I heard of the Public Art Program, and applied on a whim.

One of the Public Art Program’s major endeavors is displaying community artwork on public sites.  The city sets aside 1 percent of capital improvement project funds to grow and encourage public art.  The program aims to unite art and practical economic growth of the city by displaying art from the community in renovated and new projects.  I guess the commission saw my passion for the city in "Microphone," and it's now displayed at a major traffic point on the famed Music Row and Demonbreun.