Artist Collective Program

Our trauma-informed Artist Collective Program provides adults navigating homelessness and housing instability with free, reliable access to studio, storage, & gallery space, art supplies, education, exhibitions, and a marketplace so they can generate income, gain confidence, grow creatively, develop skills, and build community connections.

Our program model is guided by a decade of experience and reinforced by national research showing that economic empowerment and community engagement are critical tools in promoting housing stability. Our artist-led structure empowers participants to set their own creative and financial goals while accessing the tools and support needed to thrive. By showcasing their talents through exhibitions and public events, artists not only connect with the broader community—they also challenge and expand public perceptions around homelessness through art.

Studio & Gallery

Our multifunctional East Nashville location along bus route #23 operates as a professional art studio and gallery space for artists impacted by homelessness and housing insecurity.

Our studio offers a safe, creative environment where artists can make and store their work, explore new techniques, and experience the healing power of artmaking. It serves as a reliable space for both artistic growth and personal stability.

To further support artist well-being, we stock and maintain a small kitchenette with snacks, a microwave, refrigerator, and other essentials. This helps ensure artists have access to basic nourishment and a welcoming space to rest, recharge, and stay focused during long creative sessions.

Our on-site gallery allows us to showcase the talents of our artists through monthly exhibitions, participation in neighborhood art crawls, art consultations with prospective buyers, and public events throughout the year.

Artistic Supplies

All art supplies and equipment are provided at no cost to artists in our Artist Collective, removing a major barrier to creating art.

We currently provide supplies and equipment for a wide range of disciplines, including: Drawing & Painting; Photography; Digital Art; Jewelry Making; Fiber Arts & Sewing; Mixed Media & Collage; Sculpture, Printmaking

We also provide access to studio tools, easels, storage, and other workspace essentials that support creative exploration across mediums.

Donate Supplies!
You can directly support our mission by organizing an Art Supply Drive or making an in-kind donation of materials. For more information, please contact our Studio & Exhibitions Manager at fern@daybreakarts.org.

Training & Learning

Workshops provide our artists access to artistic and entrepreneurial training. These sessions provide hands-on opportunities to build new skills, explore different creative mediums, and gain confidence in their craft. Workshops also foster connection, introducing artists to local creatives, visiting instructors, and members of the broader arts community.

Our program is further enriched by offsite field trips to museums, galleries, and artists’ working studios. These outings provide inspiration, cultural access, and real-world exposure to the professional arts ecosystem.

We also support sponsored independent learning opportunities, such as participation in the Arts & Business Council’s Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training program and other local mentorships—empowering artists to deepen their practice and pursue long-term creative and economic success.

Exhibitions & Marketplace

Our artists develop working portfolios, showcase works in the Daybreak Arts Gallery, and exhibit in local galleries and businesses in Nashville, TN.

In addition to consistent in-person exhibitions, artists can access our online marketplace, marketing platforms, and additional creative income opportunities like commissions, murals, and teaching so they can gain greater financial independence.

Daybreak artists earn 70% commission on original artwork sales and 25% on reproductions (merchandise) with their designs. Daybreak artists also earn income through teaching artist stipends, live painting, and intellectual property licenses. Daybreak Arts reinvests its portion of earned income back into the organization to continue to provide the space and resources at no-cost to our artists, establishing a sustainable social enterprise model.

Meet Our Artists

Become An Artist

Artist Collective Impact

Through engagement in our Artist Collective program, Daybreak artists grow their artistic and entrepreneurial skills, create and sell original artwork, exhibit in a variety of public spaces, and gain exposure to various career opportunities in the arts in order to earn creative income and increase their independence.

By increasing access to arts-based and nontraditional employment, the Artist Collective addresses key barriers to income and housing—creating pathways toward stability, confidence, and long-term success.