On April 12, 2023 Knight Foundation announced the next round of the Knight Art + Tech Expansion Fund. The Fund supports Charlotte-based artists and arts organizations who are integrating technology into their practice. Applications are now closed. Learn more about the Fund and how to apply here. Arts and culture are essential for growing informed […]
On June 29, 2021, Knight announced $1.2 million in new investments to foster a more digitally connected, vibrant and equitable Charlotte. Knight’s Charles Thomas and Lilian Coral share more below. During COVID-19 and the pandemic-driven recession, Charlotte’s population and economy continued to grow, allowing us to pass San Francisco as the 15th largest city in […]
“Creativity takes courage.” Henri Matisse At Knight, we believe art and culture are at the core of community, connecting people to place and to each other. In response to what has been a very challenging year, I want to take a moment to highlight the artists and arts organizations in Knight cities who turned adversity […]
Investments in downtown and neighborhood revitalization are more crucial than ever as cities across America grapple with post-pandemic economic pressures, increasing displacement concerns, and aging infrastructure. A new report reflects on the impact of such investments by examining the efficacy of Knight Foundation’s grantmaking strategy in nine American cities. In 2022, Knight Foundation commissioned HR&A […]
Cities across the United States are transforming urban landscapes once divided by highways, rebuilding communities with innovative revitalization projects and fostering new connections through the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. In the mid-20th century, the building of highways and freeways in many Knight Foundation communities came at a cost––their construction divided and cut off vibrant urban […]
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news for young civic innovators across the United States! The Knight Emerging City Champions (KECC) program is making a comeback after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With applications opening on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, this program is set to support 20 young, diverse leaders annually in eight […]
Today, I should be in Charlotte enjoying the 5th annual BOOM festival, an artist-led presentation of contemporary visual and performing arts, which is supported by Knight Foundation. The 2020 festival was originally scheduled for this weekend, April 17 – 19 and like many events across the country, it’s been postponed until further notice as a […]
As the coronavirus pandemic began to unfold, arts and cultural organizations were among the first to close their doors to the public. So many arts activities involve making and sharing art in person that stay-at-home orders led concert halls, museums, theaters and smaller venues to unexpectedly cease activities. The economic impact has been harsh. Almost […]
A new $2.23 million Knight Foundation investment will support the UNC Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local News and Table Stakes Newsroom Initiative The News Reporter, a newspaper in Whiteville, N.C., with a proud history of public service, was on the verge of closing its doors. But support and coaching from the UNC-Knight Foundation […]
On February 11, 2020, Knight announced $394,200 in new funding to help create the Five Points Plaza in Charlotte’s West End. See the press release for the announcement here. In the heart of Charlotte’s Historic West End – where rapid growth and development is changing the cityscape – there will soon be a public space designed […]
Image: Rendering of new Main Library design. Design Architect: Snøhetta; Architect of Record: Clark Nexsen; Rendering: LMNB Copyright: Snøhetta Today, Knight Foundation announced a $10 million investment in a new library for downtown Charlotte—the first private contribution in a $135 million campaign to create a state-of-the-art public space that can serve not just as a repository for […]
For years, I’ve been traveling through Charlotte Douglas International Airport, noticing an increasingly busy terminal and thinking, “CLT seems like it is the place to be.” Late last year, I saw why. New in my role as Knight’s director for arts, I visited Charlotte for real, arriving with my colleague Jayne Butler to explore the […]
For-profit publishers solicit more grants and donors, while nonprofits look for more earned revenues; DEI-led startups get funding and support 2020 was a very bad year for local businesses in America during the COVID-19 pandemic. By July, more than 420,000 small businesses across the country had closed permanently, according to Stephen Hamilton, an assistant professor […]
Applications are now open for Knight Foundation’s summer internship program, which offers competitive, paid 10-week internships for college students and recent grads. Former Knight intern turned Knight employee, Jayne Butler, talks about her experience as an intern in summer 2017 and her current role as an officer on Knight’s Arts team. What were your […]
Here’s who is inspiring us with their innovation, their drive and their dedication to serving local communities Despite the struggles of legacy media business models, 2019 was also a year that saw great progress in transforming and reframing the narrative around local news in our country. This alphabetical round-up of 14 inspirational local news leaders […]