Among 43 Knight Arts Challenge winners, many will bring art to public space and neighborhoods

This year’s Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia winners were announced Monday, marking the final round of of the three-year challenge grant program. Of the 43 winners, here are 14 winners that will enliven public spaces and enhance neighborhood life through art:

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia: Local Artists Bring a New Spin to Bike Rack Design

The Bicycle Coalition and the city’s Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy will launch a competition for local artists to design and install artistic bike racks. “These functional public sculptures will showcase local artists as well as raise awareness of the importance of bike parking.” Award: $50,000

Breadboard at the University City Science Center: New Art and Technology Space Encourages Collaboration, Innovation

The Department of Making + Doing is building a collaborative space at 3711 Market Street for “creative production and civic innovation, where participants are encouraged to use technology and scientific concepts to tackle creative challenges.” Breadboard, The Hacktory, NextFab Studio and Public Workshop hope the space will yield “hybrid projects and products that could shine equally in an art exhibition, patent office, scientific conference or even a bus stop.” Award: $100,000

David Guinn: Temporary Outdoor Wall Installations Spark Dialogue 

Freewall, a project started by artist David Guinn, is an outdoor art venue for site-specific temporary wall-painting installations to the eastern wall of Fergie’s Pub at 1214 Sansom Street. Freewall invites artists to present their vision on a 55-by-28-foot wall, “free from external requirements.” Funding will provide an artist stipend, help cover materials and equipment, and documentation of the artwork. Award: $9,000

FringeArts: Utopic Floating Structure on the Delaware Suggests Bold Environmental Future

FringeArts will commission artist Mary Mattingly WetLand, a large-scale provocative floating island of sustainability. “WetLand will be a water-based ecosystem replete with solar panels, gardens and housing, erected on a floating barge docked along the Delaware River.” Visitors will be invited to explore the sculpture, which will be designed to stimulate thoughts about “water usage and the environment.” Award: $50,000

Inta: Choreographers Mount Living Installations in Two Well-Known Public Spaces 

Japanese artists Eiko & Koma will create two “living installations” / performances at the Spur of the Reading Viaduct (April 2014) and Lenfest Plaza (September 2014) as part of a two-year residency at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Award: $50,000

Lee Ann Etzold: Theatrical Performance Brings Together Two South Philly Neighborhoods

Point Bold is a theatrical event designed to bring together Point Breeze and Newbold. Point Bold will be based on “true neighborhood stories, addressing neighborhood issues, and written and performed by the community.” The performance will be presented next spring at G.W. Childs Elementary School, followed by an audience procession to the adjacent Love Garden for a celebratory dance party. Award: $25,000

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Performing Arts Office: After-School Programs Let Students Take Center Stage

A pilot program placing two performing arts teachers at six recreation centers for two-month residencies will explore the best ways for Parks & Rec to expand its after-school dance, music, and theater programs. Award: $5,000

Reading Terminal Market: Pop-Up Performance Art Enriches Reading Terminal Market 

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Reading Terminal Market wants to continue to invite incorporate performing arts into the everyday experience of visiting the market through partnerships with local performing arts organizations and an expansion of the market’s existing lunchtime performance series. Award: $60,000

Shakespeare in Clark Park: Participatory Shakespeare Performance Encourages Unique Audience Interactions

Shakespeare in Clark Park and Team Sunshine Performance Corporation will collaborate on a participatory performance based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV called “Your Prince and Mine” in 2014. A preshow happy hour/education session will prepare audiences for the performance and the play’s enormous battle scene will engage community members. Award: $35,000

South Street Headhouse District: Seasonal Pop-Up Series Builds on Neighborhood Traditions

The South Street Headhouse District will produce a series of seasonal pop-up and street performances “that build on local traditions.” Award: $15,000

Taller Puertorriqueño: Communities Come Together Through Latino Arts

Taller Puertorriqueño will organize Getting to Know You (Conociéndote), a series of gallery exhibits and musical performances at five sites, centering on three “commissioned, multimedia and socially relevant outdoor art installations” in and around El Centro de Oro. Award: $60,000

The Rotunda: Musicians Explore Sound in Local Architectural Treasure

During a three-month residency, eight improvisational and experimental musicians will use The Rotunda sanctuary’s acoustics. It is a space, “in which sound carries in unexpected ways and whispers can be heard from 100 feet away.” Award: $7,000

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education: Public Art Serves the Environment and Educates Public

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education and The Center for Emerging Visual Artists will launch an artist residency program to create artworks that explore themes of ecological restoration that engage the public. “Four residencies will grant selected artists resources and space on the Schuylkill’s property to create ‘ecoventions’: public artworks, often permanent installations, that prevent or remediate environmental damage.” Award: $20,000

The Village of Arts and Humanities: Social Practice Artist Residencies Reflect on North Philadelphia Communities

Village Artist-in-Residence program will award yearlong residencies to exceptional emerging and mid-career artists “seeking community based social practice for the investigation and execution of their work.” These artists will commit to creating an original project that relates to the North Philadelphia community where they will be embedded. Award: $150,000