Needs From: Belmont Office of Community-Engaged Learning and Service

VOLUNTEER TO REVIEW ARTS GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR DAVIDSON COUNTY

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. The program seeks to build communities by nurturing artists, arts organizations (including local arts agencies), and arts supporters in Tennessee.

Are you part of the Arts community and familiar with the local art scene?

Volunteer to judge on the TN Arts Builds Communities grant review panel. The panel review will take place on Monday, August 10, 2026, beginning at 9:30am. The panel will meet VIRTUALLY via Microsoft Teams.

Volunteers must review all grant applications between July 27 and August 9 at 11:59pm and be available at the time of the panel review on August 10. The estimated time commitment per volunteer is around 12 hours between the application review (6-7 hours) and the panel (5-6 hours).

Volunteers must reside and have an arts background in Davidson County to participate on the panel.

Please express interest in participating in the panel by July 1. GNRC staff will reach out to conduct interviews with prospective panelists. Panelists will be selected and confirmed among those who sign up by July 8. 

 
 
HOW ARE THE GRANT APPLICATIONS REVIEWED?

Advisory panels reviewing grant applications for this program assign scores based on how well the proposed project addresses ABC program objectives and use the following evaluation criteria on a 100-point scale:

Artistic/Cultural Merit (35 points)
Applications should provide evidence of how the proposed arts/cultural project shows value to the community being served. Competitive applications may demonstrate artistic/cultural merit by showing how projects will accomplish one or more of the following:

Provide arts experiences that expose participants to new perspectives or media Deepen audiences’ appreciation of artists, media, or movements Provide opportunities for engagement in the creative process Advance community priorities and/or address social issues in or through the arts Promote local traditions or community assets in or through the arts Build social connections and understanding between diverse groups of people Enhance the sustainability of cultural enterprises Provide a hospitable environment for arts organizations and/or artists to thrive creatively and/or economically

Competitive applications may also demonstrate that proposed project supports the work of artists through payment of fees, services or appropriate benefits.

Community Engagement and Participation (35 points)
Applications should provide evidence of how organizations understand and are responsive to diverse interests and needs of communities served. Competitive applications will demonstrate the engagement and participation of their communities by not only showing how proposed projects advance organizational missions, but also by showing to what extent community members are involved in planning, executing and evaluating the projects.

Additional evidence includes: needs assessment research; formal partnerships that advance project goals through resource and responsibility sharing; and demonstrated support from local community leaders.

Competitive applications may also demonstrate goals and objectives that are designed to address social issues or build economic sustainability through the arts.

Budget and Financial Support (20 points)
Applications should include realistic project budgets with accurate cost and income estimates.
Competitive applications will show that organizations are actively raising funds through requests to individual contributors, private corporations, foundations, government sources, AND/OR through viable earned revenue projections.

Operational Practice (10 points)
Applications should provide evidence that planning procedures are clear, inclusive and include discussion on past project results (when appropriate). Competitive applications will address all application questions and provide correct and complete information. 

Click here to find out more about the ABC Scoring Rubric.

ABOUT THE ABC GRANT PROGRAM

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. The Tennessee Arts Commission offers the ABC program through a decentralized decision-making and distribution process in partnership with regional designated agencies. Through ABC, the Commission seeks to build communities by nurturing artists, arts organizations (including local arts agencies), and arts supporters in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

ABC funds may be used to:

Provide innovative arts experiences that are new or unfamiliar to community residents Offer arts programs that are designed to help affect positive change in community social issues Develop arts programming that strengthens social networks through community engagement Undertake cultural arts initiatives that enhance a community’s identity and/or economic development Offer training that helps experienced or emerging artists/arts administrators develop entrepreneurial skills or innovative strategies for building sustainability

VOLUNTEER TO REVIEW ARTS GRANT APPLICATIONS

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. The program seeks to build communities by nurturing artists, arts organizations (including local arts agencies), and arts supporters in Tennessee.

Are you part of the Arts community and familiar with the local art scene?

Volunteer to judge on the TN Arts Builds Communities grant review panel. The panel review will take place on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, beginning at 9:30am. The panel will meet VIRTUALLY via Microsoft Teams. 

Volunteers must review all grant applications between July 22 and August 4 at 11:59pm and be available at the time of the panel review on August 5. The estimated time commitment per volunteer is around 11 hours between the application review (5-6 hours) and the panel (5 hours)

Volunteers must reside and have an arts background in one of the following counties: Trousdale, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson.

Please express interest in participating in the Panel by July 1. GNRC staff will reach out to conduct interviews with prospective panelists. Panelist will be selected and confirmed among those who sign up by July 8.

 
 
HOW ARE THE GRANT APPLICATIONS REVIEWED?

Advisory panels reviewing grant applications for this program assign scores based on how well the proposed project addresses ABC program objectives and use the following evaluation criteria on a 100-point scale:

Artistic/Cultural Merit (35 points)
Applications should provide evidence of how the proposed arts/cultural project shows value to the community being served. Competitive applications may demonstrate artistic/cultural merit by showing how projects will accomplish one or more of the following:

Provide arts experiences that expose participants to new perspectives or media Deepen audiences’ appreciation of artists, media, or movements Provide opportunities for engagement in the creative process Advance community priorities and/or address social issues in or through the arts Promote local traditions or community assets in or through the arts Build social connections and understanding between diverse groups of people Enhance the sustainability of cultural enterprises Provide a hospitable environment for arts organizations and/or artists to thrive creatively and/or economically

Competitive applications may also demonstrate that proposed project supports the work of artists through payment of fees, services or appropriate benefits.

Community Engagement and Participation (35 points)
Applications should provide evidence of how organizations understand and are responsive to diverse interests and needs of communities served. Competitive applications will demonstrate the engagement and participation of their communities by not only showing how proposed projects advance organizational missions, but also by showing to what extent community members are involved in planning, executing and evaluating the projects.

Additional evidence includes: needs assessment research; formal partnerships that advance project goals through resource and responsibility sharing; and demonstrated support from local community leaders.

Competitive applications may also demonstrate goals and objectives that are designed to address social issues or build economic sustainability through the arts.

Budget and Financial Support (20 points)
Applications should include realistic project budgets with accurate cost and income estimates. Competitive applications will show that organizations are actively raising funds through requests to individual contributors, private corporations, foundations, government sources, AND/OR through viable earned revenue projections.

Operational Practice (10 points)
Applications should provide evidence that planning procedures are clear, inclusive and include discussion on past project results (when appropriate). Competitive applications will address all application questions and provide correct and complete information. 

Click here to find out more about the ABC Scoring Rubric.

ABOUT THE ABC GRANT PROGRAM

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. The Tennessee Arts Commission offers the ABC program through a decentralized decision-making and distribution process in partnership with regional designated agencies. Through ABC, the Commission seeks to build communities by nurturing artists, arts organizations (including local arts agencies), and arts supporters in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

ABC funds may be used to:

Provide innovative arts experiences that are new or unfamiliar to community residents Offer arts programs that are designed to help affect positive change in community social issues Develop arts programming that strengthens social networks through community engagement Undertake cultural arts initiatives that enhance a community’s identity and/or economic development Offer training that helps experienced or emerging artists/arts administrators develop entrepreneurial skills or innovative strategies for building sustainability

Help us bring some cheer to isolated seniors, seniors in nursing homes and/or disabled individuals in our communities by sending them heartfelt letters, letting them know that we care and haven't forgotten about them.

We are looking for uplifting letters that will bring their recipients some joy!

This month the theme for the letters is "Welcome summer" or "Independence Day" later in the month. You can incorporate the theme through art, by making your own themed cards and within the message of your letter.

If you are interested in sending letters and/or art to seniors in the community, please sign up below and include in your response (in the notes) how many letters you would like to write. I will contact you with specific instructions for the letters and the address to send them to. Children are welcome to contribute also (an adult is required for minors to sign up).

 
We are looking to have this round of letters completed and received by their recipients by 06/30/2026. Please allow a couple of days for mailing and distribution. 
 
Volunteers will be required to have their own materials for the letters and any additional artwork you'd like to add, as well as stamps to mail the letters on hand (or you must be able to take them to the post office). I will try my best to provide you with one address for your letters so you can mail them together in a large envelope. 

Please allow 48 hours for me to get back to you with the instructions. 

If you are in need of community service hours, I am happy to confirm your hours for you. Please submit pictures of your letters as proof. We will be tracking and logging the actual time you spent working on the letters/cards and do NOT assign a specific number of letters per hour. Please check with your institution if they have specific requirements of how many letters you need to complete to get your hours approved.

Younger children are welcome to participate with their parents or a guardian/caregiver. 

 
Thank you so much for considering this opportunity! 

 

Help us bring some cheer to isolated seniors, seniors in nursing homes and/or disabled individuals in our communities by sending them heartfelt letters, letting them know that we care and haven't forgotten about them.

We are looking for uplifting letters that will bring their recipients some joy!

This month we are looking for Flower Power themed letters and cards. You can incorporate the theme through art, by making your own themed cards and within the message of your letter.

If you are interested in sending letters and/or art to seniors in the community, please sign up below and include in your response (in the notes) how many letters you would like to write. I will contact you with specific instructions for the letters and the address to send them to. Children are welcome to contribute also (an adult is required for minors under 13 to sign up).

 
We are looking to have this round of letters completed and received by their recipients by 05/31/2026. Please allow a couple of days for mailing and distribution. 
 
Volunteers will be required to have their own materials for the letters and any additional artwork you'd like to add, as well as stamps to mail the letters on hand (or you must be able to take them to the post office). I will try my best to provide you with one address for your letters so you can mail them together in a large envelope. 

Please allow 48 hours for me to get back to you with the instructions. 

If you are in need of community service hours, I am happy to confirm your hours for you. Please submit pictures of your letters as proof. We will be tracking and logging the actual time you spent working on the letters/cards and do NOT assign a specific number of letters per hour. Please check with your institution if they have specific requirements of how many letters you need to complete to get your hours approved.

 
Thank you so much for considering this opportunity! 

Ambassadors:

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