Daybreak Arts Partners with Memorial Foundation for Art Commission
Congratulations to Daybreak Artist A.M. Hassan for being selected to create a commissioned artwork for the Memorial Foundation's new building! We were honored to partner with the Memorial Foundation on this special commission and are thrilled to see A.M.'s talent and creativity become a lasting part of their new space.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Memorial Foundation Partnership Creates Paid Opportunities for 79-year old Daybreak Arts Artist
Nashville, TN, July 2, 2026 —Nashville nonprofit, Daybreak Arts is proud to announce a meaningful partnership with the Memorial Foundation that highlights the power of investing in both nonprofit arts organizations and the artists they serve.
In early 2026, the Memorial Foundation commissioned Daybreak Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting artists experiencing housing insecurity and older adults, to create an original painting of the Foundation’s new building. Through this partnership, the Memorial Foundation made a distinctive commitment: rather than commissioning a single artist directly, they created paid opportunities for multiple Daybreak Artists to develop and submit concept designs for the project.
In April 2026, artists A.M. Hassan, Blue, and Daniel Holmes were compensated for creating initial concepts for the commission. This approach ensured that several artists received direct income for their creative labor while building professional experience, visibility, and confidence.
“All three artists brought vision, skill, and originality to the process,” said Daybreak Arts Executive Director, Nicole Minyard. “By compensating artists at the concept stage, the Memorial Foundation recognized the value of creative work from the very beginning.”
Following the concept review, 79-year old, formerly homeless artist, A.M. Hassan was selected for the final commission. Her completed watercolor painting was delivered to the Memorial Foundation in June 2026 and professionally framed and matted by Woodcuts Gallery & Framing.
The Memorial Foundation’s model of support demonstrates a broader understanding of community investment. By partnering with a nonprofit like Daybreak Arts, the Foundation not only funded a final work of art but also strengthened an ecosystem of support for artists who often face barriers to stable income and creative opportunity.
For artists experiencing housing insecurity and for seniors living on limited incomes, paid commissions can be transformative. Access to income-generating opportunities helps artists remain rooted in their communities, maintain stability, and continue developing their creative practices with dignity. Just as importantly, these opportunities build confidence and reinforce that their work has value.
This partnership reflects how philanthropy can create layered impact: supporting a mission-driven nonprofit, investing directly in artists, and preserving pathways for vulnerable community members to thrive through creativity.
Daybreak Arts extends its gratitude to the Memorial Foundation for their leadership and for recognizing that meaningful community support includes investing in artists at every stage of the creative process. This partnership was featured in the Memorial Foundation’s Summer 2026 Newsletter.
About Daybreak ArtsDaybreak Arts is a nonprofit arts organization that supports artists overcoming housing insecurity by creating opportunities for creative expression, professional development, and income generation. Through exhibitions, commissions, and partnerships, Daybreak Arts helps artists stay connected, visible, and rooted in their communities. Learn more at DaybreakArts.org
About Memorial Foundation
Memorial Foundation’s mission is to partner with nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life for people in our community. Through these partnerships, the Foundation seeks to help create a community where all people are healthy, whole, and safe. Learn more at http://memfoundation.org/