Cash for artists with big ideas

[caption id="attachment_10943" align="alignleft" width="300"] Haleem Rasul PHOTO COURTESY LENA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY[/caption] Last year, the Knight Foundation awarded $2.1 million to 56 art projects the foundation believed would benefit the city of Detroit. Among them were awards for local dancer Haleem Rasul to make a documentary about the Detroit dance phenomenon “jit” and Omowale Entertainment to teach West African drumming and dancing classes. Rasul says winning the award was beneficial in ways more than financial. “It’s strengthening my project’s audience base, which has gained new interest and opportunities that may have not been presented otherwise.” This year, the foundation will award even more money, $3 million, to creative Detroit-based projects. According to a statement, “there are only three rules for the challenge: The idea must be about the arts; the project must take place in or benefit Detroit; and grant recipients must find funds to match Knight’s commitment (within a year).”The foundation is currently accepting applications through April 7. Rasul believes all Detroiters with ideas should apply and take “the first step in making their ideas ‘really’ come to life.” People with ideas can apply (or curious about last year’s winners) can apply or learn more at knightarts.org. — Staff report