Nashville And Community

Cooler days and crisp evenings bring a new season of music, art, festivals and outdoor experiences to Nashville. Vanderbilt University is proud to partner with local nonprofits and cultural organizations to highlight events that welcome students, faculty, staff and the broader Nashville community. From stargazing and live music to exhibitions and literary festivals, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Nashville this fall. Read More

On Sept. 1, Nashville Metro Council overwhelmingly approved Vanderbilt’s proposal for a Specific Plan to develop about 40 acres adjacent to the west side of campus into an innovation neighborhood. Read More

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Vanderbilt invites adults age 50 and older to a new academic year of learning, connection and discovery with more than 30 courses this fall. Participants can explore history, music, literature, science, technology, wellness and the arts through courses offered in person and online.  Read More

Research discoveries, student opportunity and strong communities all depend on relationships. Vanderbilt’s 2026 Government and Community Relations Annual Report highlights how partnerships and collaborations with policymakers, community organizations, industry leaders and educators helped advance the university’s mission throughout the past year.  Read More

Looking for a new way to partner with Nashville organizations while enhancing your work at Vanderbilt? Applications are now open for the Community Engagement Collaboration Fund, which supports joint projects that involve Vanderbilt faculty and staff and Nashville-based community organizations.  Launched in 2024 by the Division of Government and Community Relations, the fund helps… Read More

What does it take to become an effective nonprofit board member? A new nonprofit board service training series is helping Vanderbilt faculty and staff develop the knowledge and confidence to serve nonprofit organizations across Middle Tennessee. Read More

Long evenings, outdoor concerts and community festivals make summer one of the best times to explore Nashville. Vanderbilt University is proud to partner with local nonprofits and cultural organizations to highlight events that welcome students, faculty, staff and the broader Nashville community. From live music in city parks to museum exhibitions and family-friendly celebrations, the season offers plenty of opportunities to experience the creativity that defines Music City. Read More

On an April morning, more than 100 Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff and community partners gathered around poster displays that told stories of collaboration, creativity and shared purpose. The inaugural “Bridging Campus and Community: Community Engagement Symposium,” held April 23, invited attendees to explore 32 presentations showcasing how Vanderbilt and community organizations are working together to address real-world challenges. The poster-style event celebrated partnerships spanning service-learning, research and creative work. Read More

As the weather warms and Nashville comes alive, parks, museums and community spaces across the city are offering new ways to connect, explore and unwind this spring. Vanderbilt University is proud to partner with local nonprofits and cultural organizations to highlight events that welcome students, faculty, staff and the broader Nashville community. From art exhibitions and live music to family-friendly outdoor gatherings, many events are free or discounted for Vanderbilt students. Read More

The results of 2026 Vanderbilt Poll–Nashville reflect, in part, the effects of the ice storm that gripped the region in late January. The storm and its aftermath zapped the level of optimism that city residents have enjoyed for the past decade, and respondents also expressed more concerns about Nashville’s direction and leadership. Approval ratings for the school board, police and fire departments remained relatively stable, but Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Metro Council suffered a notable dip in public support.   Read More

Vanderbilt University invites faculty, students, staff and community collaborators to submit proposals for the inaugural Bridging Campus and Community: Community Engagement Symposium, taking place Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon on Vanderbilt’s campus. Read More

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Vanderbilt invites the community to a new season of learning, connection and shared exploration with a wide-ranging lineup of spring courses for people age 50 and older. From science, history and literature to music, writing and wellness, this new term offers opportunities to engage with ideas, develop skills and enjoy thoughtful conversation. Read More

The American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching have announced the institutions that earned the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement for 2026, and Vanderbilt University is among them. This is Vanderbilt’s first time receiving the classification. This designation honors institutions that are deeply committed to working alongside their communities. It recognizes colleges and universities that build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships; connect community engagement to teaching and learning; and apply their knowledge and resources to help address real-world challenges.  Read More

On a Sunday afternoon in a neighborhood studio, students and neighbors lean over fabric squares, trading stories as they stitch. Across town, a campus dining team loads trays for a local shelter while student-athletes set out donation boxes. These moments offer a glimpse of how our campus community steps beyond the university’s boundaries to serve alongside our Nashville neighbors. Read More

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Vanderbilt invites the community to a new season of discovery, connection and fun with a dynamic lineup of winter courses and programs to keep your mind active and your spirit warm.  Whether you’re diving into science, literature or music, or exploring global perspectives through courses on Japan, Sicily and the Abrahamic faiths, you’ll find something to spark your curiosity. This winter also features returning favorites like Tai Chi and Gentle Yoga, new opportunities to learn Mahjong, and creative arts offerings from landscape painting to the always-popular Steel Drum Band and Chorale.  Read More

Vanderbilt hosted the 11th annual Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards in collaboration with the Nashville Public Education Foundation on Oct. 30. Twenty-five Metro Nashville Public Schools educators—including several Peabody College alumni—were recognized for excellence in student success, opportunity, instruction and leadership. Honorees received a $2,000 cash prize, professional headshots, a trophy and two round-trip Southwest Airlines vouchers. Read More

What connects Vanderbilt with the city it calls home? For students, faculty, staff and neighbors alike, it begins with working together toward a shared purpose and developing community partnerships. Vanderbilt has launched Vanderbilt in the Nashville Community, a new webpage highlighting the university’s collaborations and offering a starting point for engagement. The page offers resources, stories and tools that make Vanderbilt’s community work visible and accessible to all. Read More

Collaboration, community and love for the written word were celebrated at the 2025 Southern Festival of Books, presented by Vanderbilt University in partnership with Humanities Tennessee Oct. 18–19 in downtown Nashville. The free event, the 37th in festival history, brought hundreds of prominent national authors together in dialogue with fellow writers, readers and thousands of Middle Tennesseans. It also marked the first year of an expanded partnership between the festival and Vanderbilt, evidence of the university’s deepening investment in the cultural fabric of the region. Read More

When John Warren is seeking inspiration, he walks and observes. Wandering the streets of Nashville with a 16mm Bolex film camera, the lecturer in art is constantly on the hunt for his next project. Warren filmed on and off for seven years, with many of his shots taking place from 2017-2018. The resulting project is a 16mm experimental film loop called Future Tense that is currently featured in a Frist Art Museum exhibit, Avenues to a Great City, running now through December 14. Read More

With just a few clicks, Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff can connect with volunteer opportunities across Nashville, thanks to the university’s new Get Connected platform.  Read More