More than 200 artists and supporters – along with Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer– celebrated the launch of the Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia last night at TRUST in Old City.

The contest, which will offer $9 million over three years to ideas for the arts that will enrich and engage Philadelphia, is accepting applications through Oct. 31 at KnightArts.org.

Steuer said the challenge is an exciting opportunity for the city.

“Knight Foundation is in effect willing to provide risk capital to arts groups, helping them to move in innovative, new directions that they might otherwise be cautious about,” Steuer said.

Said Mayor Nutter: “The Knight Arts Challenge is a great example of how public and private sector leaders can encourage Philadelphians to unleash their innovative and creative spirit. The resulting projects over the next three years will remake the way Philadelphians interact with and perceive the arts on a daily basis.”

Dennis Scholl, Knight Foundation’s vice president/arts, said that the contest is open to all.

“The challenge opens a window of opportunity for everyone in the community,” Scholl said. “In each of the next three years, we will invite every artist, every arts institution, every business and every individual inPhiladelphia to offer the best art ideas for this community.”