Have a great idea for the arts in Detroit? Here’s your chance to see it come alive. On April 4, the Knight Arts Challenge Detroit will open for applications, and it’s offering a share of $3 million to the best ideas for the arts.
“The Knight Arts Challenge is an opportunity for anyone to pursue his or her artistic dreams,” said Victoria Rogers, vice president for arts at Knight Foundation. “We want hear your big ideas that can help define, reflect, and engage your community.”
The challenge is open to anyone who has an idea for engaging and enriching Detroit through the arts. All applicants need is 150 words about their idea in order to fill out the initial application, available at knightarts.org. The initial application will be available from April 4 to May 2.
There are only three rules for submissions:
- The idea must be about the arts
- The project must take place in or benefit Detroit
- The grant recipients must find funds to match Knight’s commitment
The Knight Arts Challenge is in its fourth year, and because of its success, the Knight Foundation has announced that it will continue the challenge through 2018.
“Almost everywhere you go in Detroit, you see Knight Arts Challenge winners inspiring and engaging our city,” said Katy Locker, Detroit program director for Knight Foundation. “What’s next? We can’t wait to see what Detroit comes up with.”
Many Knight Arts Challenge winners have been small grassroots efforts that reflect Detroit. They include Hardcore Detroit, which sought to revive the 70s Detroit dance craze, and Detroit Fiber Works, which promotes and produces fiber arts workshops for all Detroiters.
The Knight Foundation will host community conversations across the city during the month of April. Knight staff and previous winners will attend the events and answer questions about the challenge and guide applicants through the process.
For updates on the Knight Arts Challenge, follow #knightarts and @knightfdn on Twitter and Instagram, and Knight Foundation on Facebook.
