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 eighth episode, we talk with choreographer, dancer, and Director of PYDANCE Asia Pyron about being an artist and finding the best place to start your own thing. Our conversation covers access and belonging, space and invitation, privilege and pathways—and raises questions about the newly installed barrier of requiring fiscal sponsorship for artists seeking funding in Nashville. We note that while Asia has found it beneficial and other individuals have had positive experiences, it has been the opposite for some artists, calling for further investigation into equitable routes for funding.

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 Alayna Renae and Christine Hall. Intro: Sangeetha Ekambaram, Cortney Warner, Kenny Rae, Alayna Renae, and Tim Northern. An Arts Equity Nashville production