MIAMI – June 19, 2018 – Building on the momentum that has made Miami one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the nation, Knight Foundation will invest $500,000 in an open call for ground-breaking, innovative works of dance, theater and music. Starting today, artists, including choreographers, playwrights and composers, with strong connections to Miami, as well as local performing arts organizations can apply for Knight New Work Miami funding to bring fresh ideas to the stage. 

“New Work will showcase artists who take risks, innovate, and inspire people. We’re not looking for nice, safe ideas. We want to commission art in Miami that has the potential to be groundbreaking – created and performed at the highest levels,” said Victoria Rogers, Knight Foundation vice president for arts.

Knight Foundation has helped to propel Miami’s cultural growth, investing more than $125 million in the arts in South Florida. The funding has allowed institutions to better engage the public and helped realize more than 350 arts projects through the Knight Arts Challenge.

Knight New Work Miami is open to artists with a strong connection to Miami and to arts organizations based in Miami-Dade County, in partnership with artists. The work must premiere in Miami. We welcome submissions from both emerging and established artists including playwrights, composers, choreographers. For those that need it, Knight will facilitate connections between winning artists and local organizations that can premiere their work. Performances should take place during the 2020-21 (Sept.-May). 

“Miami has blossomed into a community where art is created, not just performed or experienced. We want to leverage that. Our success will be measured by more challenging and inspiring works of authentically, made-in-Miami art, for the world to see our artists’ interpretation of our evolving community,” said Alberto Ibargüen, Knight Foundation President.

Winners will share $500,000 in funding. Knight funding is intended to cover the development and premiere of the piece in Miami, though organizations and artists can seek additional funding from other sources, if necessary. Knight Foundation hopes that successful ideas will capture Miami’s creativity, and advance bold collaborations between local artists and institutions.

Knight Foundation will host a public information session at the Light Box in Miami on June 25 at 6:00 p.m. with Arts Program Officer Adam Ganuza, where applicants can get feedback on the open call and help securing partnerships with local arts institutions to premiere their work. RSVP for the information session here: http://kf.org/newworkmiamirsvp. 

More information on Knight New Work Miami, and the application, is available online at kf.org/newworkmiami. Submissions are due August 31.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.

Photo (top): Simone Messmer and Didier Bramaz in Miami City Ballet’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Photo taken by Gene Shiavone.