Artville 2025 Call for Artists: Up to $150K in Grants for Large Scale Works in Nashville, 9/25-9/28

Artville 2025 Call for Artists in Nashville 9/25-9/28 

Artville is Nashville's premier public art festival, transforming the city's urban landscape each fall with public art installations, gallery events, and immersive art experiences. Artville, now in its third year, invites both local and national artists to submit proposals for temporary site-specific public art projects to be showcased throughout Nashville during the festival weekend Thursday, September 25 – Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Artville Artist grants will be awarded to innovative and dynamic artists' proposals for public art installations that demonstrate high-quality artistic value and provide the opportunity for public engagement. Selected installations will be featured within several high-traffic Nashville locations, including Walk of Fame Park and The historic Arcade in Downtown, Nashville, as well as at events and community partner locations in Wedgewood Houston and Germantown neighborhoods. These areas typically see over 100,000 visitors each weekend and host a wide range of cultural and tourist events, attracting both locals and tourists alike. Artville has support from the Frist Art Museum, The Downtown Partnership for Nashville, The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation and a host of private and corporate donors committed to the success of this growing art festival.

Applications can be submitted for large-scale 2D fiber-art installations, 3D art and sculpture projects, and Illumination/Projection Projects. Works should be created primarily for outdoor locations, but there will be some indoor spaces available in large buildings, museums and arcades as well. Preference will be given to large-scale projects.

Following the close of the application window, selected artists will be invited to accept a grant to bring their creative visions to life in Nashville for the festival weekend, September 25-28, 2025. Please note, the grant amounts awarded may not match the full amount requested, as the selection team is focused on providing funding to support a wide range of public art projects. If a minimum level of funding is required to execute the proposed project, that needs to be specified in the application.  Visit artville.org and the application link to apply - you must be willing to travel to Nashville for the install, weekend event, and breakdown. We are looking for an overview of the concept, materials, a timeline to produce, and a cost breakdown for the project. All expenses should be included in the proposal.

Additionally, the Artville Best in Show awards will provide $10,000 in cash-prizes. There will be a public vote for the $3000 Artville Community Award Winner. Two additional cash awards of $3500 will be given to a jury of local Artville Advisors, including art curators, gallerists, and museum administrators, recognizing outstanding works; one for Best in Show and one for Best Community Engagement Project. 

We look forward to seeing how your work can shape Nashville’s urban landscape!

Key Dates

• Applications Open: Friday May 9th
• Application Deadline: Wednesday June 4th
• Notifications Sent: Wednesday June 18th
• Festival Installation Window: September 25 
• Festival Weekend: Friday September 26 – Sunday September 29

06/04/2025