Arab American National Museum Receives High Dollar Grant

posted on: Nov 12, 2012

The Arab American National Museum is one of several Detroit area groups to earn high-dollar grants from the Knight Foundation.

Building on the city’s creative momentum, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Tuesday announced $19.25 million in support for the arts in Detroit.

The funding is part of the Knight Arts Challenge, a two-pronged initiative that aims to engage and enrich Detroit through the arts by supporting the projects of organizations small and large, individuals and grassroots groups.

AANM received $750,000 as part of the investment in Detroit arts and culture. The grant will enhance the annual Concert of Colors free global music festival, of which the museum is lead producer. In particular, the Knight funding will restore the summer festival’s annual Forum on Community, Culture & Race and help rebuild the Cultural Exchange Network of 50 arts groups that originally facilitated the Concert of Colors.

“The Arab American National Museum takes great pride in its multicultural programming and its commitment to using the arts to bridge the gap between peoples. This major support helps us sustain our multicultural programming and reinforce our commitment to enrich the cultural landscape of our region for the benefit of all,” said Anan Ameri, founding director, Arab American National Museum.

Six other groups received grants from the group, as well.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History ($750,000): Using the arts to foster an interest in reading by weaving interactive cultural experiences throughout the museum’s Children’s Book Fair.

Detroit Institute of Arts ($2.25 million): Experimenting with new programs that will take the institute’s world-class art collection out of the museum and into the community.

Detroit School of Arts ($2.25 million): Building a pipeline of future artists by inviting working professionals from prominent cultural institutions to teach and mentor high school students.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra ($2.25 million): Expanding the audience for classical music by offering the symphony experience worldwide through expanded webcast and mobile content.

Michigan Opera Theatre ($1 million): Bringing the opera into the community through performances in community spaces and commissioning a new opera based on the city’s rich cultural history.

n Sphinx Organization ($1 million): Supporting the development of young musicians of color through Detroit’s annual Sphinx Competition.

“We believe Detroit’s future will be driven by entrepreneurs, artists and designers, building on an impressive existing infrastructure,” Alberto Ibargüen, president of Knight Foundation said in a statement. “That’s why we’ve adopted a two-tier approach to our investment, supporting some of Detroit’s most distinguished institutions as well as opening arts funding to everyone with the talent, energy and inspiration through the Knight Arts Challenge.”

Jodi Rempala
Press & Guide Newspapers