The 2021 Knight Arts Challenge will support the best ideas for the arts from individual artists and arts organizations in Akron, Detroit and Miami. Building on the innovation and creativity of artists during the pandemic, the two-part Challenge will support artists to create works that connect people to place and each other. Applications will open on Thursday, July 1, 2021 and run through Saturday, July 31. Read more about the 2021 Knight Arts Challenge in this blog by Adam Ganuza, Knight arts program officer. 

Knight will fund ideas from local artists and arts organizations in these cities who are asked to answer this question in 150 words or less: “What is your best idea for the arts in either Akron, Detroit or Miami?”
There are two rules for submissions: 
The idea must be about the arts
The project must take place in or benefit Akron, Detroit or Miami

From the initial pool of applicants, a group of finalists will be chosen in each city to elaborate on their ideas. The winners, who will be announced in the fall, will share up to $2 million in Miami and Detroit and $1 million in Akron to bring their ideas to life.

VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS

Want to discuss your idea with Knight? Do you have questions about the Challenge, or are looking for tips to make sure your submission is on-point? Knight will be hosting two virtual town halls with Arts Program Officer Adam Ganuza on Thursday, July 1 at 1 p.m. ET (RSVP) and Monday, July 26, at 6:30 p.m. ET (RSVP.) Both sessions will be recorded and uploaded onto this page.