MIAMI (Dec. 12, 2006) — The Miami-based Funding Arts Network (FAN) will offer a newly created Knight Foundation New Work Award for a performing or visual art work of the highest artistic merit to be performed or exhibited in Miami-Dade County. A major criterion for the award, which will be for $50,000 a year in 2007 and 2008, is that it be available to a broad cross section of the Miami-Dade population.

This $100,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation represents the largest grant in FAN’s ten-year history. The creation of the award, which is open to all arts organizations that have previously been FAN grantees, was announced at FAN’s tenth anniversary celebration this morning.

“This award in support of new art premiering in a public, accessible place is a great way to stimulate high quality work from local art organizations, and a great way to help Miami cement its reputation as an arts and cultural destination,” said Suzanna Valdez, Miami program director for Knight Foundation.

The winning applicant will be selected by FAN with the assistance of an advisory panel including Charles Cinnamon, publicist and arts activist; Dr. Ruth Greenfield, former chair of the music department at Miami Dade College and founder of two concert series; Rosie Gordon Wallace, director of Diaspora Vibe Gallery; Helen Kohen, former art critic for the Miami Herald; and Michael Spring and Deborah Margol of the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs. Criteria include artistic merit and creativity in reaching out to a broad audience. Applications are available on FAN’s website (www.fundingartsnetwork.org). Entries are due in March 2007. Winners will be announced at FAN’s annual awards luncheon in May.

The New Works Award is in addition to the annual grants that FAN awards. During the current grant cycle, FAN’s awards will reach $2,000,000.

“FAN is proud of the 73 grantees it has supported since 1996. We are proud to have played a part in enhancing the quality of life in Miami-Dade County,” said Rachel Blechman, FAN president.

FAN is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support of the arts in Miami-Dade County through a competitive grant process funded by its members’ contributions.   

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the vitality of U.S. communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. To learn more, visit www.knightfdn.org.