• Article

    Award recognizes leadership and contributions of Knight Commission on Athletics and The Admiral Center

    Published January 19, 2012 by

    Silver Anniversary Award winners Amy Perko and David Robinson. Credit: NCAA Photos The NCAA recently honored Knight Commission’s Amy Perko and former NBA Hall of Famer David Robinson for their professional and civic contributions that followed their time as college athletes. Presented during the NCAA’s annual week-long convention, the Silver Anniversary Award recognizes six distinguished former student-athletes on their 25th anniversary as college graduates. Perko, a former Wake Forest basketball player, was recognized in part for her efforts serving as the executive director of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. The commission, which Knight Foundation established in 1989, works to ensure that intercollegiate athletics programs operate within the educational mission of their colleges and universities.
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    “SpeakOut” with Lenelle Moise

    Published January 19, 2012 by

    “Tell a truth on purpose. Tempt with exactitude. Make the work you need. Risk being loved.” These are wise words from Haitian-American poet, playwright and spoken word artist Lenelle Moïse, who returns to Miami Feb. 6 through 10 for Knight Arts grantee Tigertail Production's "SpeakOut" spoken word LGBTQ teen residency....
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    The fight against Islamophobia

    Published January 18, 2012 by

    By Matthew Jaber Stiffler, Arab American National Museum In early December 2011, I spent two days meeting with Muslim American groups in Grand Rapids, Michigan. First, I met with the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) to learn about their programs and events. Every February they...
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    Knight Community Information Challenge now accepting applications

    Published January 18, 2012 by

    By Susan Patterson, Knight Program Director/Charlotte Today, Knight opens the door for applications in the fifth round of its Community Information Challenge, being accepted now at informationneeds.org. If previous years are any indication, we’ll get plenty of ideas from community and place-based foundations uniquely taking aim at meeting their community’s information needs. In many communities, strengthening credible, professional news sources is the need. That’s the work supported by the Community Foundation of New Jersey with NJ Spotlight, and I-News, supported by The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County. In other communities, the community foundations and the projects they have supported have focused more on digital tools for civic engagement and action. Such is the case for Envision Bay Area, supported by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and We The People supported by the Community Foundation for North Florida. Opportunities for Leadership: Meeting Silicon Valley's Information Needs
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    When music doesn’t bite

    Published January 18, 2012 by

    By Sebastián Spreng, Visual Artist and Classical Music Writer They have never met, but conductors Pablo Heras Casado and Patrick Dupré Quigley share some curious coincidences. They use three names, the first beginning with “Pa.” They are the same age. They are both local heroes in their communities and pioneers...
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    Building a thriving arts community in Bradenton, FL

    Published January 18, 2012 by

    By Bahia Ramos-Synnott, Knight Foundation's Director, Community Foundations Last Monday I traveled to Bradenton, FL with Knight Foundation Program Director Meredith Hector and VP of Arts Dennis Scholl to hear Dennis give a talk on the arts as fuel for community engagement. Bradenton has recently gained notoriety as one of...
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    Brash, broad and beautiful

    Published January 17, 2012 by

    Much has and will be made about the pure, raw imagery of Dana Schutz, who just had a mid-career survey open up at the Miami Art Museum, a Knight Arts grantee . The show came originally from the Neuberger Museum in...
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    Behind the scenes of @communityapps

    Published January 17, 2012 by

    In December, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Knight Foundation announced the winners of the 'Apps for Communities Challenge,'  which awarded $100,000 in prizes for software applications that bring actionable, local information to underserved communities. "To provide applications of real value to low income Americans and others who are adopting broadband at a lower rate", is how Genachowski describes the primary purposes of the contest. The three grand prize winners included apps to let bus riders know when their ride is arriving, connect the homeless to services and workers to jobs. Second prize winner Curtis Chang, who won for Homeless-SCC, says it's the first time he has participated in a challenge like this, but he "wanted to get the idea of the app out there and this was perfect platform to share some of the innovation we're developing on a local level with other cities and counties that are experiencing similar problems with access to information." Watch below to see interviews with the winners and insights on why the challenge was started.
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    Abakanowicz creates new work for Davidson College

    Published January 16, 2012 by

    January is an exciting month for the arts at Davidson College (a Knight arts grantee). “Davidson Collects: A Celebration of Art & Learning” is the culmination of much work, support and the generosity of many individuals. The jewel of this exhibition is the acquisition of a new Magdalena Abakanowicz outdoor...
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    “It’s a Family Affair” at New World Symphony

    Published January 16, 2012 by

    Next Sunday, Jan. 22, the New World Symphony will host its fourth annual kid-friendly “It's a Family Affair!" featuring a concert and a hands-on “21st century musical wonderland.” This is the event for parents and kids, especially for those who haven't been to the New World Center and love music....