2012 Knight Arts Challenge finalists announced

They are in! The Knight Foundation has announced the finalists for the second year of the Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia. The 55 finalists - which include individual artists, artist collectives, community groups, music organizations and theater companies - offered a wide array of innovative ideas, rising above a field of 1,200+ applicants. These ideas are just a continuing message that art can create change in communities. I hope the deserving winners create outstanding programs and do bring some type of change. Sure change is sometimes a little scary, but if it's for the better, then go for it. Click here to view the 2011 winners.


Some of this year's finalists include:

• Artists and Musicians of Latin America - To cultivate new audiences for Latin Jazz by presenting "pop-up" performances using a portable stage. <-- Um amazing much?
• Delaware River Waterfront Corporation - To use world rhythms - from cowbells to congas, beat-boxing to Bhangra - to learn about cultures at an interactive music and dance festival <-- Because Penn's Landing always needs another festival :). 
• Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation - To engage new audiences in the visual arts by launching With Art Philadelphia, a two-year joint marketing program that includes late-night happenings for younger audiences at local museums <--- New audiences everywhere!
• Norris Square Neighborhood Project - To preserve local Latino culture in North Philadelphia by creating a sound booth to record stories that will be featured in podcasts <-- neighbor and great idea!

It would be amazing to see some of these projects come to life...especially in Philadelphia. The full list of finalists and ideas can be found at knightarts.org and the winners will be announced in the spring. Good luck to everyone and see you in "warmer" weather.