The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced that it will give $5 million to help Detroit create new economies. The funds will strengthen the city’s creative sector, increase job training, and expand public Internet access. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will receive $500,000 to expand and diversify its audience by creating a community concert series at places of worship, schools, and malls. To boost the city’s newly designated Creative Corridor, the Cranbrook Educational Community—a Michigan-based complex that includes an art academy, contemporary art museum, natural history museum, several pre-K through 12 independent schools—will partner with the Arts League of Michigan; a $1.08 million grant will go toward joint programming and exhibits from the two organizations. As part of the initiative, $1.01 million will go toward a new College for Creative Studies, an art and design campus at the new Taubman Center, originally a General Motors design facility, with 300 college students living onsite and an expected 2,000 daily visitors.
Posted November 11, 2009
