What is the role of your organization in the arts community? Are there others like you?
We don’t have an official role; the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has been making grants to support nonprofits since 1968 and the vitality of arts is one area of interest we have. So over years we have been involved with numerous arts organizations.
 Why is art important to Charlotte’s growth?
Arts in general are important because you’ve got the things you have to have, and then things like the arts that feed your soul. One of Charlotte’s challenges is to find its soul, so we need to continue to feed that soul. I’ve lived here since 1971, and the city is so much livelier now. On a weekend, you often have multiple choices and have to decide where to go, which is certainly a change. Still, I think Charlotte tends to be a little traditional and conservative. Our opportunity is to continue to push the envelope and embrace edgier things.
Are small, grassroots artists and projects able to get funding in this city?
My guess is that it is a challenge just as it is a challenge that all small, grassroots nonprofits share. It is not an arts-particular problem. As far as these types of organizations, I hear about more than I hear from officially. We are a fairly large foundation and have a complicated application process that can be daunting from smaller organizations. Though we do support applicants through the process, it is rigorous, and we find that often only larger scale organizations take it on.
What stands out, what is missing from Charlotte’s Arts Scene?
I’m a music lover so that’s the area I’ve paid the most attention to. I think there are some outstanding new groups that have come on the scene that have really put Charlotte on the map. I went to an Ethos Consortium concert recently, which featured the Ethos Chamber Singers, and it was stunning, just incredible. Over 500 people attended, which is nice sized audience, but for the quality of the work it should be drawing even bigger crowds. David Pang is back in Charlotte, stirring up groups and pulling together concerts, which I think is exciting. Charlotte’s Symphony is quite good, as well as the Broadway Lights Series at Blumenthal. Some would say we need more performance theater, and I think it is coming.
Anything Else?
I think sometimes we are quick to jump to the conclusion that Charlotte just doesn’t have much. It is either from newcomers who don’t want to go to Uptown or folks who have lived in Charlotte for a while and just haven’t caught up to all the new additions to the scene. My advice to both groups is ‘pay attention, and explore’ because there is actually a lot going on and it’s not all expensive.
~ Celina Mincey
|
