The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has announced a $31 million investment in support of arts initiatives in the Knight brothers’ hometown of Akron, Ohio.

The University of Akron will receive $20 million to renovate the Polsky Building adjacent to the Knight Stage at the Akron Civic Theatre and a revitalized Main Street corridor, in which the foundation has been an anchor investor. To be renamed after the Knights, the building will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and include space for entrepreneurship, community collaboration, artistic performances, and learning. 

Additional grants include $7 million to the Akron Art Museum to fund digital and technical infrastructure, $1 million to ArtsNow to support the Akron Cultural Plan, and $1.5 million to the National Center for Choreography to help establish the NCC Akron Choreography Prize. Knight also is allocating $1 million for a future Knight New Work Akron call for proposals in support of local artists using technology in their practice and $750,000 for the Knight Digital Transformation Fund, an open call to help local artists with operational technology.

“Akron is a city that understands and recognizes the role the arts play in creating a community where people want to live, work, and raise their families,” said Victoria Rogers, vice president of Knight’s arts program. “As technology has become a fundamental force in the creation, dissemination and experience of art it has become essential for artists and arts and cultural institutions to rethink the ways they connect to people, whether in person or through digital platforms. Enabling artists and arts organizations to experiment, enhance expertise and attract and retain audiences is precisely why we are investing in key arts organizations and launching programs that support innovation in the arts in Akron.” 

(Photo credit: Warren LeMay via Wikipedia/Creative Commons)