Pulse of Progress, funded by a Metro Arts Thrive Grant, is a arts ecosystem building pilot project that examined the impact of providing resources; building and connecting missing links in ecosystems; and then activating the full ecosystem can help artists thrive. As part of ecosystem activation, Pulse of Progress activities culminated into an invite-only participatory art experience developed by Greater Than Equal as part of the Taste —a curated event series designed to activate ecosystems to drive systemic change. Pulse of Progress focused on building and examining the ecosystem artists need to thrive. Rather than simply mapping connections, the project explored what it takes to activate an arts ecosystem—where funding, relationships, and community energy converge to support artistic visions and amplify impact.

Pulse of Progress: Celebration of the Nashville Arts Scene event was anchored by featured artist Shabazz Larkin, whose meditative, hands-on installation centered themes of healing, impermanence, and rebirth. It also featured ecosystem-centered participatory works by:

• LeXander Bryant (Archive South): cyanotype and memory-based installations

• Danielle Myers in collaboration with Urban Green Lab and John Early Magnet Middle School: The Wildflower Project, a youth-led eco-art initiative

• Dr. Megan Jordan (Bee in a Cloud): participatory ecosystem mapping experience

• Big Fella Studio: open studio and visual storytelling

• Sound and atmosphere were shaped by DJ Raiden, and the evening was visually documented by artists Mark D. Jackson, Aaron Kirkland, and Joseph Patrick (Photojojo).

The project’s outcomes demonstrate that building an ecosystem is not just about providing resources or listing connections—it’s about activation. Pulse of Progress: Celebration of the Nashville Arts Scene event brought together organizations, artists, community members, and supporters into a shared space that fostered new collaborations, unlocked funding, and elevated voices. This convergence culminated in an ecosystem moment—where ties between community members, artists, and institutions were strengthened through shared experience.

Pulse of Progress offered model for how immersive events can be a powerful step in the process of catalyze ecosystems—not just conceptually, but through embodied participation, co-creation, and meaningful connection.

In 2021, we saw the integration of technology such as VR/AR and other Web3 technologies to bring people together globally for communication, collaboration and increased accessibility.

With the rise of awareness of this technology Nashville has advocates and resources of people that are knowledgeable and use these technologies now in everyday design as an expansion of their business. It’s great that we are seeing increased collaboration through these technologies and it is giving organizations a new business models and ways to connect with their community and giving artists new ways to monetize.

We hope to spread the word to see how we can grow and collaborate together as we work hand-in-hand with technology that helps to break down barriers. This event is a showcase of Nashville’s diverse design community merging with technology.

This event included networking and informational talks during which a local fashion designer held a collaborative live design session in Gravity Sketch using a VR headset. As they created the design attendees were able to watch live on screen as we explained how to create collaborative design and discussed Web3 technologies. We fostered thought provoking conversation and helped to build a cross-sector ecosystem through the power of collaboration and partnership.