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Advocacy

Artists play an essential role in our communities, and deserve a seat at the table for conversations concerning policy, investment, development, and the future of Nashville.

A seat at the table

Championing Nashville's Arts Sector

The Arts + Business Council champions Greater Nashville's creative community by listening to the needs and priorities of artists and arts organizations in the region, convening the creative community alongside civic and business leaders, and advocating for creative sector interests.

We are currently developing a policy statement and advocacy resources to share with our members and constituents to better equip artists, arts administators, and community members to be strong art advocates.

Be sure to join our mailing list, become a member, and stay tuned for future updates on advocacy convenings and related resources, projects, and opportunities.

Advocacy Priorities

Nashville: A Creative Path Forward

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In March 2026 the Arts + Business Council hosted its latest Salon Series event, Nashville: A Creative Path Forward.

This event featured interactive, guided prompts and shared reflection facilitated by Elevate Consulting. The gathering provided an opportunity for attendees to share their perspective on the needs and priorities of our creative ecosystem. Online responses were then gathered to include participants unable to attend in person.

Elevate Consulting synthesized and summarized the key community priorities that emerged from the evening’s conversations.

Community Priorities:

  • Create a digital hub for the arts community
  • Secure affordable creative development spaces
  • Bridge the gap between arts, tourism, and development
  • Further expand professional development opportunities and business support for artists and arts administrators
  • Foster a unified advocacy voice, coordinate collective advocacy efforts, and keep the community informed of relevant legislation impacting the arts

In addition to these priorities, Elevate Consulting synthesized the key challenges the local creative community faces and the participants’ suggested solutions to these issues.  Read the full report at the link below.

Read the report

Be an Advocate for the Arts

Specialty License Plates & Tennesseans for the Arts

One of the easiest things you can do to support the arts is to buy a specialty or personalized license plate!  

Tennesseans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the arts in Tennessee, has more information about specialty license plates and how to advocate for the arts in your community.
Learn more

Tennesseans for the Arts

Tennesseans for the Arts is a statewide arts advocacy organization that helps protect the arts in Tennessee.

An important part of the mission of Tennesseans for the Arts is to support public funding for the arts across the state by promoting the work of the Tennessee Arts Commission and preserving the specialty license plate program.
Learn more + join

Americans for the Arts

If you’re thinking of speaking with your legislators, check out Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts.

Among its advocacy programs is the Arts Action Fund, which aims to enlist and mobilize 100,000 citizen activists to help ensure that arts-friendly public policies are adopted at the Federal, state, and local levels.
Learn more + join

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