NASHVILLE, TENN.- Poverty and the Arts is partnering with Urban Housing Solutions to launch, the Shared Walls Art Program (SWAP). SWAP will offer income, resources, and confidence to POVA artists who are impacted by homelessness. Through a sponsorship platform with companies and individuals, works by POVA artists will also be given to low income individuals or families moving into affordable housing provided by Urban Housing Solutions.

“Owning and hanging art creates a sense of warmth and belonging in any space, and we believe that it should be available to everyone,” says Nicole Minyard, Founder and Executive Director of Poverty and the Arts.

How the program works: A $500 sponsorship allows a company or individual to purchase an original art piece by a POVA artist (valued at $250) for their office or space. In turn, their sponsorship will purchase another $250 work of art (tax deductible) for someone moving into a home with Urban Housing Solutions. POVA artists will receive a 60% commission on the sale.

In addition, SWAP sponsors will receive a Certificate of Authenticity for their original artwork, a hand-written card by the artist who created the piece, a photo of the sponsored piece in its new home, and recognition on social media, the POVA website, and at an annual Shared Walls event.

The program is driven by POVA’s mission to make the arts accessible to everyone, according to Minyard. “We believe that art is beneficial for everyone, whether you are a family moving into your new home, or you are heading into your office each day for work. We’re excited to offer SWAP as a way to break down barriers through ‘sharing walls’ with our neighbors in need!”

Located on Dickerson Pike in East Nashville, Poverty and the Arts (POVA) is a social enterprise nonprofit that equips people impacted by homelessness to overcome barriers to employment and income by leveraging their creative talent. POVA provides studio space, art supplies, arts and business training, and gallery exhibition opportunities for artists so they can create and sell their works.

Urban Housing Solutions (UHS) is Nashville’s largest nonprofit provider of affordable housing. With nearly 1,300 affordable units (and growing) across Davidson County, UHS provides previously homeless, low-income, and working Nashvillians with a supportive place to call home.