Metro Arts selects eight host sites for spring 2026 Community Arts Leaders internship program

The Metro Arts Commission approved staff recommendations to name eight organizations as Spring 2026 host sites for the Community Arts Leaders of Nashville internship program.

Ashley, a Metro Arts staff member, told commissioners the program matches Tennessee undergraduate students with local arts organizations for paid, part-time internships during the spring semester. Staff received 15 host-site applications, accepted eight organizations based on established guidelines and balanced different job types (marketing, programming, development). The eight recommended host sites are WNXP (Nashville’s Music Experience), Oz Arts Inc., Nashville Repertory Theater, Nashville Jazz Workshop, Daybreak Arts, The Arts at Center Street, Youth Empowerment Through Arts and Humanities (YEAH), and Turnip Green Creative Reuse.

Staff said 22 students applied and that interviews were held in the commission room the Monday before the meeting; staff is finalizing matches and will only confirm placements after both student and host-site acceptance. Host-site awards are $6,700 each to cover administration and to place students on host payroll. Mentors will receive $450; Metro Arts staff said each student should receive $3,750 total compensation over a 14-week internship and that students will be paid through the host site payroll.

Commissioner Wright moved to approve the list of host sites contingent on successful student matches; Commissioner Lefkowitz seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.

Staff said the selections prioritize students who receive Pell grants within the scoring criteria and that some organizations that were not selected may still participate through partnership workshops or professional-development events.