Public Comments

Episode 13: Black Art and Nashville’s Nonprofit Scene

During our limited series Public Comments, we’re building an artist-centered narrative about the Title VI complaint process that got artists their money back here in Nashville, while exposing discriminatory funding practices. In this thirteenth episode, our guest is Elisheba Israel Mrozik, a multidisciplinary artist and Middle Tennessee's first licensed Black tattoo artist. Founder of One Drop Ink Tattoo Parlour, QueenBeelnk LLC, and North Nashville Arts Coalition, Elisheba is focused on uplifting women and BIPOC artists, creating community-engaged fine art, and integrating art with social purpose. This show is an archive and roadmap as we continue advocating for the equitable arts funding our city deserves. Support provided by Columbia University’s Incite Institute Assembling Voices fellowship. Hosted by Lydia Yousief and Christine Hall. Intro: Sangeetha Ekambaram, Cortney Warner, Kenny Rae, Alayna Renae, and Tim Northern. An Arts Equity Nashville production

Episode 12: Evolving the Arts by Nourishing the Roots

During our limited series Public Comments, we’re building an artist-centered narrative about the Title VI complaint process that got artists their money back here in Nashville, while exposing discriminatory funding practices. In this twelfth episode, our guest is Sangeetha Ekambaram, a multidisciplinary artist born with a curiosity to explore the world and strong desire to sing and dance. We discuss finding the path forward through artist empowerment and community-building. This show (originally 12 episodes, now with a bonus 13th episode forthcoming) is an archive and roadmap as we continue advocating for the equitable arts funding our city deserves. Support provided by Columbia University’s Incite Institute Assembling Voices fellowship. Hosted by Lydia Yousief and Christine Hall. Intro: Sangeetha Ekambaram, Cortney Warner, Kenny Rae, Alayna Renae, and Tim Northern. An Arts Equity Nashville production

Episode 11: The Lack of Media Coverage

We’re building an artist-centered narrative about the Title VI complaint process that got artists their money back here in Nashville, while exposing discriminatory funding practices. In this eleventh episode, our guest is writer, producer, and filmmaker Elizabeth Burton. We discuss the media landscape and coverage of Metro Arts, as Elizabeth speaks about how the inner workings reinforce the status quo, and the importance of voice and perspective to the stories we tell. This show is an archive and roadmap as we continue advocating for the equitable arts funding our city deserves. Support provided by Columbia University’s Incite Institute Assembling Voices fellowship. Hosted by Lydia Yousief and Christine Hall. Intro: Sangeetha Ekambaram, Cortney Warner, Kenny Rae, Alayna Renae, and Tim Northern. An Arts Equity Nashville production

Episode 10: Musician in Music City

During our 12-episode limited series Public Comments, we’re building an artist-centered narrative about the Title VI complaint process that got artists their money back here in Nashville, while exposing discriminatory funding practices. In this tenth episode, our guest is Alayna Renae, an interdisciplinary vocalist and community organizer, the founder of Nashville Musicians for Change and executive director of Nashville Women in Jazz. Alayna talks about being a working class artist in Nashville, shining a light on the path to realizing creative projects with collective benefit, and showing how it’s essential to make the path more accessible. This show is an archive and roadmap as we continue advocating for the equitable arts funding our city deserves. Support provided by Columbia University’s Incite Institute Assembling Voices fellowship. Hosted by Lydia Yousief and Christine Hall. Intro: Sangeetha Ekambaram, Cortney Warner, Kenny Rae, Alayna Renae, and Tim Northern. An Arts Equity Nashville production

Episode 9: When There Is No Accountability, There Is Repetition

During our 12-episode limited series Public Comments, we’re building an artist-centered narrative about the Title VI complaint process that got artists their money back here in Nashville, while exposing discriminatory funding practices. In this ninth episode, our guest is Nicole Williams, a freelance writer who's worked for years to demystify the Metro government. We discuss the concerns that prompted Nicole’s public comments at Metro Arts meetings, the independence of the commission, ethics complaints, issues regarding removing commissioners, the working group, the mechanics of transparency, democracy, and the confluence of information-sharing and advocacy. This show is an archive and roadmap as we continue advocating for the equitable arts funding our city deserves. Support provided by Columbia University’s Incite Institute Assembling Voices fellowship. Hosted by Lydia Yousief and Christine Hall. Intro: Sangeetha Ekambaram, Cortney Warner, Kenny Rae, Alayna Renae, and Tim Northern. An Arts Equity Nashville production