• Article

    Opera singers perform Random Act of Culture aboard Philadelphia trains

    Published October 5, 2011 by

    Last week, opera singers from The Opera Company of Philadelphia surprised Philadelphia commuters with a performance from the opera Carmen. Opera singers boarded local trains and performed the aria "Habanera" to surprised commuters on the SEPTA rail lines. The Philadelphia Inquirer covered the event.   Some 504 Knight-funded Random Acts of Culture have taken place so far in eight communities across the United States. Dennis Scholl, vice president/arts at Knight Foundation, describes why Knight launched the Random Acts of Culture program: “We strongly believe in the potential of the arts to engage residents, and bring a community together. Hearing Handel, or seeing the tango in an unexpected place provides a deeply felt reminder of how the classics can enrich our lives. As you’ll see in our videos, the performances make people smile, dance, grab their cameras – even cry with joy. For those brief moments, people going along in their everyday lives are part of a shared, communal experience that makes their community a more vibrant place to live.”
  • Article

    Replicas that speak to us, in replica

    Published October 4, 2011 by

    After a flurry of painting shows, now comes an ambitious, singular installation exhibit, called "Small Medium Large," at Carol Jazzar Contemporary Art. Ambitious? David Rohn incorporated his performance art, painting and three-dimensional art into three houses, each one exactly half the size...
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    “Cups” by Christine Katz at Temple Gallery

    Published October 4, 2011 by

    Temple University’s Gallery at Tyler School of Art has a program entitled CofFree Monday. Billed as “your most important meal of the week,” students are encouraged to stop by before classes on Monday mornings from 7:45 to 9:45 a.m. for a free cup of specialty coffee and the lowdown on...
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    Arts Alliance benefits from sales of arty grocery bags

    Published October 3, 2011 by

    By Jessie Raynor, Akron Arts Alliance Steve Albrecht, president of a locally-owned chain of 16 grocery stores called Acme Fresh Markets, recently presented the Akron Area Arts Alliance with a $1,500 donation -- a percentage of the sales of new reusable shopping bags. Decorated with colorful original artwork created by...
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    Reports from the Field:

    Published October 3, 2011 by

    Dancer Silas Riener is currently on tour with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company’s Legacy Tour, a Knight Arts granteee. Today he checks in with a report from Westbeth By Silas Riener, Merce Cunningham Dance Company There are, by my count, 8 remaining rehearsal days for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company...
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    MOMIX: The reviews are in

    Published October 3, 2011 by

    By Jennifer Thomas, Knight Foundation's Program Director/Akron MOMIX’s performance on Saturday night in Akron, OH, of Botanica was a huge success. 1,900 people were in attendance for an incredible performance of dance, props and optical illusions. The Knight Foundation’s $15,000 grant allowed DanceCleveland to engage about 300 new audience members...
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    Plaza Muse has Diane Hughes and so much more

    Published October 3, 2011 by

    The Plaza Muse, located at Central Avenue and Hawthorne Lane in Charlotte, is a brand new gallery with studio spaces as well as opportunities for gatherings. This gray, two-story old home has been transformed, given new life and is now filled with many original, diverse works of art. What is...
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    Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia – now accepting applications

    Published October 3, 2011 by

    Crossposted from Knight Arts blog Here we go!  The second year of the Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia launched today, and we’re ready to hear your best ideas for the city’s vibrant arts scene!  Applications are now being accepted right here through Oct. 31. We believe the arts can engage and enrich communities and that your ideas can make an impact.  That’s why the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is investing $9 million in innovative arts ideas. To date, 36 ideas have been awarded $2.7 million. What can these ideas look like?  The possibilities are endless.  No idea is too large or too small, as long as it follows three basic rules: Your idea is about the arts. Your project takes place in or benefits Philadelphia. You find other funding to match the Knight Foundation grant (within a year). Over the course of the next four weeks, we’ll be counting down to the deadline, posting a series of tips and answers to common questions, and showcasing some of last year’s amazing winners to get you inspired. We hope you'll take advantage and follow along right here. For more on this year’s contest, check out the press release here.  You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and ask questions using #AskKightArts. We look forward to another year of great ideas!