More $$ for the arts

I am a big fan and believer in the arts. Which is why I'm happy to find out that (again) The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is now accepting applications for the second year of the Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia from today through Oct. 31.  The three-year, $9 million community-wide contest seeks the most innovative ideas in the arts to engage and enrich Philadelphia’s communities. And as we all know arts and culture does change communities; it's proven in some of the Philadelphia Cultural Alliance's reports.

Winning ideas in year one were selected from a field of 1,752 submissions. They ranged from yearly projects to once in a lifetime opportunities. Year one winners include:

• Darla Jackson for Philadelphia Sculpture Gym, to help Philadelphia sculptors create their works safely by creating a “sculpture gym” where artists can use heavy-duty tools, have storage space and get one-on-one help with projects
• Vox Populi for Spectrum, to inspire the community by offering an innovative arts series that crosses the traditional boundaries of visual art, performance, music, film, video, dance and theater
•  Taller Puertorriqueño for Café under the Stars: Spotlighting Arts in the Barrio, to create personal cultural experiences that connect audiences across cultures by producing a series of monthly outdoor performances in the heart of Latino Philadelphia.

For more on Knight Foundation’s arts initiative and to view a full list of Knight Arts Challenge winners, visit www.KnightArts.org. Philadelphians can also learn more, ask questions, and share ideas on the Knight Arts Challenge Facebook page here, and on Twitter @KnightArts.