ST. PAUL, Minn. (Aug. 21, 2017) — The Arts Partnership, a nonprofit collaboration between Minnesota Opera, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club, is now accepting applications for the 2018 Knight Foundation Cultural Opportunity Fund. The eligibility guidelines for 2018 have been revised and applications will be accepted through Oct. 1, 2017.

In 2014, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation endowed the $1 million Knight Foundation Cultural Opportunity Fund in order to provide a diverse range of Minnesota artists and arts organizations subsidies toward renting the Ordway’s Concert Hall.

“Previously, we accepted applications on a rolling basis, and everyone received the same amount. But, we heard from the community that this too often excluded small to mid-sized artists and organizations, so we’ve restructured the review process and are happy to announce new guidelines that will make it even more accessible to all,” said Jon Limbacher, president of the Arts Partnership and managing director and president of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Now, awards will vary based on the applicant’s annual budget— artists/organizations with annual budgets of less than $500,000 can receive up to $5,000, while artists/organizations with larger budgets can receive up to $2,500.

Those interested in applying should submit an application at https://ordway.org/knightfund by Oct. 1, 2017. All submissions will be reviewed for feasibility and evaluated by a panel of judges who will be looking for clearly articulated outreach strategies, as well as productions that help fulfill the organization’s mission or advance the artist’s career. Priority will be given to proposals from emerging and mid-range arts organizations/individual artists with an emphasis on cultural and artistic diversity.

“The typical rental cost of the Concert Hall (including backstage and front of house personnel) runs between $4,500-$6,500, so depending on the awardees’ production needs, they could potentially rent the hall for free. Plus, each awardee still collects all net proceeds for their event. It’s a unique opportunity and we are excited to see more small to mid-sized arts organizations and artists performing in the Ordway’s Concert Hall,” added Limbacher.

About the Arts Partnership

The Arts Partnership is a nonprofit collaboration between Minnesota Opera, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club in which the needs of the community are placed above the needs of any one particular organization. The Arts Partnership has been recognized as a national model of arts community collaboration.