About the Arts & Business Council

OUR MISSION

The Arts & Business Council is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leverages and unites the unique resources of the arts and business communities to create a thriving, sustainable creative culture in Nashville.

What We Do

  • We create mutually beneficial partnerships between arts and business.
  • We provide direct services, key opportunities, and education to the creative community to help them master the business of art.
  • We inspire workplace creativity in businesses to demonstrate the impact of the arts through tangible benefits and develop life-long arts participants and supporters.

OUR VISION AND CORE VALUES

As the hub for building more sustainable arts businesses and creative enterprises:

  • Investing in artists is central to the Arts & Business Council’s long-­term vision of a community where artists are valued as critical assets to be engaged, supported, and empowered.
  • The Arts & Business Council believes having a large population of engaged, capable artists will lead to both a more just and equitable society.
  • The Arts & Business Council believes a strong sector of creative businesses will enhance the overall economic profile of the Greater Nashville area. A thriving arts community: attracts businesses to Nashville; makes for a healthy, happy population; and creates strong, innovative solutions to social, business, and civic challenges.

OUR IMPACT

The impact of our programs continues to increase year-after-year as we remain flexible, responsive, and innovative in the fulfillment of our mission to cultivate Nashville’s creative community. Download a recent annual report to learn more!

FY24 Annual Report

BOARD

HONORARY CHAIRMAN

Martha R. Ingram*, Ingram Industries

CHAIR

Kirsten Jacobson, Asurion

VICE CHAIR

Jined Lamata Holladay, Holladay Ventures

TREASURER

Thor Urness, Bradley

SECRETARY

Joanna Paszek, CBRE

DIRECTORS

*ex-officio member

Are you interested in serving on an arts nonprofit board? Check out our Arts Board Matching program! If you’d like to learn more about serving on the Arts & Business Council’s board specifically, please fill out our Interest Form.


STAFF

Jill McMillan Palm, Executive Director

Jonathan Harwell-Dye, Director of Programs

Courtney “CK” Stone, Director of Development

Jennifer “Ennie” Brosius, Program Manager

Kate Formway, Volunteer Services Specialist

Hilary Tomlinson, Marketing & Engagement Manager


The Arts & Business Council is certified as a Nashville Living Wage employer. Nashville Living Wage (NLW) is a membership-based, volunteer-led organization that educates the community on the importance and urgency of a “more just” minimum wage.
NLW hopes to inspire businesses to pay a living wage now and commit to providing a living wage in the future while also helping community members (residents and visitors) become conscientious consumers by supporting living wage businesses.


The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville is a nonprofit-in-residence at Belmont University. Learn more about Belmont University here.