Now through Nov. 15, five small South Florida arts organizations are vying for the Knight Arts Challenge People’s Choice Award, offering a $20,000 prize. Below, Ian Welsch talks about why The Motivational Edge should get your vote. To see the other nominees and to text to vote, visit knightarts.org/peopleschoice.

The Motivational Edge should win this award because of the extraordinary work that we do throughout the community. The dedicated staff at The Edge gives everything they have as artists, instructors and positive mentors to fulfill the mission of the organization, ensuring that all our youth have a chance at learning the arts, academic success and a chance in life. The programs we have directly impact the youth of our community and their families, making it an objective and goal of ours to reach those that are unreachable.

Q. What would you do with the $20,000 prize?

The prize money would go directly back into our programs and servicing the teenagers of our community. With this prize money, we will be able to bring our arts-based programs to many more teenagers at no cost to their families.  Youth who have never been able to pick up an instrument or paint brush, who have never excelled in school or danced in public – these kids, the unreachable ones, will be reached!

Further, our transparency will be evident throughout this initiative ensuring that our programs are maintained with the utmost fidelity and that all dollars will transcend directly into helping under-resourced children.

Q. What’s the best part of being an artist in South Florida?

Being an artist in South Florida affords an unparalleled amount of opportunity; an opportunity to reach out and collaborate with other likeminded artists, as well as those that may have a varied artistic perspective than yours; an opportunity to be the next discovered talent; an opportunity to be exposed to a variety of music/art alongside the myriad of cultures that are found in this melting pot of South Florida. What is one of the best parts of being an artist in South Florida? The opportunity to have unlimited amounts of inspiration for all types of artists.

To vote for The Motivational Edge, text ARTS3 to 22333.