2016 Knight Art Challenge winners.
The 2017 Knight Arts Challenge is upon us with generous grants totaling $7.8 million, spread over four communities throughout the United States. Miami is fortunate to be included as one of the areas to benefit in this largess. Myriad grants are offered to creative individuals, groups and organizations to promote ideas for the advantage and cultural health of our environment.
The Knight Foundation is a progressive group enhancing ideas and innovation at a grass roots level.
Applications are being accepted as of March 29 from non-profits, businesses or individual artists. All you need is three key ingredients: an idea about the arts, it has to benefit one of the big four cities involved — Miami, Akron, St. Paul or Detroit — and you have to match the grant funds awarded. Get that application in between March 29 and April 28, 2017 to qualify. There is an 150-word statement required to succinctly communicate your idea to the Foundation effectively, so start metaphorically chewing on that pencil (old speak for “thinking”).
- I have included this handy dandy application site for your convenience: www.knightfoundation.org/apply
- And this site for answers to every possible question you might have: www.knightfoundation.org/challenges/knight-arts-challenge/pages/kac-faq/
Past winners have included the Micro Theater Miami, Big Night in Little Haiti, Guitars Over Guns, Artists in Residence in Everglades (AIRIE), to name but a few. Recipients range from large institutions to small individual projects, all worthy of a leg up to round out Miami’s cultural landscape.
2016 winners Guitars Over Guns (Photo by Marika Lynch).
Starting March 20, Community Conversations will be held around town with Knight Arts staff and past winners to answer any question on creating effective submissions to give your idea the best possible send off. (see "Conversation" venue list and dates at end of article)
Let’s do a background check on the history of the Knight Foundation, shall we. Brothers John S. and James L. Knight published newspapers (in Miami, Akron, Detroit, and St Paul), and when the newspaper biz was sold off, the brothers formed the Knight Foundation to “promote excellence in journalism and the success of the communities”...in which they worked. One of their core beliefs is the “freedom of expression and in the values expressed in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.”
In addition to the arts challenge they support journalism, promote community opportunity and reinforce innovative technology.
Victoria Rogers, Arts/VP, Knight Foundation speaks about this impactful program: "With the Knight Arts Challenge, we are looking for projects that make art general. Everywhere you go, we want you to be able to see, hear and feel art. Over the past 10 years, we’ve found artistic excellence all over – including artists taking up residence in the Everglades, a N8tive Reel Cinema Festival in Fort Lauderdale, a book fair in Little Haiti, wonderful performances in South Dade, and so much more.
Few things can bring people together like the arts. They engage us and connect us to each other and to this community we call home. We are delighted to provide the fuel that helps arts organizations and artists make that happen.”
2016 winners Miami Dade Cultural Affairs, Dance Harlem Artists Anthony Javier Savoy and Lindsey Croop (Photo by Rachel Neville).
Community Conversations Listing For up to the moment information log on to: www.knightfoundation.org/
- 6:30 – 8 p.m. Monday, March 20
Hialeah:
Community Conversation at Milander Center for Arts & Entertainment, 4800 Palm Ave. - 8 – 9 p.m., Monday, March 20:
On Air Discussion (305.912.5658) on the Knight Arts Challenge with Jolt Radio www.joltradio.org/ Questions can also be submitted in advance via Twitter by tagging @joltradio. Panelists include Knight Arts Challenge winners Sweat Records, Miami Music Club and The Bridge. - 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 21
Wynwood:
Community Conversation at The Wynwood Yard, 56 NW 29 St. KAC winner DJ Le Spam will spin immediately following. - 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 21,
West Broward:
Community Conversation at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar. - 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, Brownsville/Liberty City:
Community Conversation at Miami’s Historic Hampton House, 4240 NW 27 Ave., Miami. - 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 23, Kendall:
Community Conversation at Kendall’s Excello Dance Studio, 8700 SW 129 Terr. - 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 23, Little Haiti:
Community Conversation at Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212 NE 59 Ter., Little Haiti. - Noon to 1 p.m. Monday, April 3, Key West:
Knight Arts Challenge Community Conversation at the Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St., First Floor Conference Room. - 6:30 - 8 p.m. Thursday, April 6, West palm Beach:
Knight Arts Challenge Community Conversation at West Palm Beach’s Respectable Street, 518 Clematis St.
