MIAMI – Oct. 20 2015 – Beginning today, four South Florida arts organizations will vie for a $20,000 prize in the 2015 Knight Arts Challenge People’s Choice Award.

The award, which highlights the work and contributions of the region’s small arts organizations, is part of the Knight Arts Challenge South Florida. Through Nov. 17, South Floridians and other supporters will be able to cast a vote via text message for one of the four grassroots cultural organizations. The winner will receive $20,000 in support from Knight Foundation for a project of their choosing.

“Each of these groups is a unique expression of the arts in Miami. Their work already is resonating with our community, and we want to help amplify that and build on that momentum,” said Victoria Rogers, vice president for arts at Knight Foundation.

This year’s People’s Choice nominees were chosen from 73 finalists in the 2015 Knight Arts Challenge South Florida. Each group is still eligible for a challenge grant from Knight Foundation. Winners of both the challenge and the People’s Choice Award will be announced on Nov. 30 at a special event at New World Center on Miami Beach.

“Some of the most exciting work in Miami bubbles up from the grassroots,” said Matt Haggman, Miami program director for Knight Foundation. “We hope that the People’s Choice Award helps focus more attention on the impact these groups are having.”

Emerging from more than 1,000 submissions in 2015, the People’s Choice nominees have proposed a wide range of projects. To vote, the public can text their preferred nominee’s individual code to 22333 before 11:59 p.m. ET Nov. 17.

The 2015 Knight Arts Challenge People’s Choice nominees are: 

• Artefactus Cultural Project: Working with West Kendall families to create “Tales of Miami,” a play based on the true, humorous stories of Hispanic families who have settled in South Florida; Text ART1 to 22333.

• Delou Africa: Engaging diverse communities through artistic expression in traditional West African dance, drum, music and folklore. Text ART2 to 22333.

• Miami Girl’s Rock Camp: Empowering young girls through the arts with an annual volunteer-run camp that teaches them to perform music. Text ART3 to 22333.

• Rise Up Gallery: Providing art workshops to the community, studio space to local artists, and gallery space for innovative curatorial projects. Text ART4 to 22333.

Videos of each project will be posted at knightarts.org/peopleschoice.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.