News Release: McKnight approves over $30 million in second quarter of 2010, including $1.3 million for arts organizations that connect

June 18, 2010 - McKnight's second-quarter 2010 approved grants.

The McKnight Foundation awarded 117 grants totaling $30,054,000 in its second-quarter 2010 grantmaking.

Of the $30 million total approved, over $1.3 million went to 20 small and mid-sized arts organizations that model innovation in connecting artists and community. Among them, Franconia Sculpture Park, a 20-acre working sculpture park that invites the public into each artist's creative process, received $70,000 over two years; nonprofit literary publisher Milkweed Editions of Minneapolis received $180,000 over three years; Northern Community Radio of Grand Rapids received a $20,000 grant to support its general operations; and Public Art Saint Paul received $60,000 over two years for an artist in residence in the city of St. Paul. Minnesota's oldest performing arts organization, the Schubert Club of Minneapolis, received $80,000 over two years; and SteppingStone Theatre of St. Paul received $60,000 over two years to support youth-specific productions created by professional playwrights.
 
"Individual working artists are the heart and soul of Minnesota's renowned artistic and cultural community," says Robert J. Struyk, McKnight's board chair. "By providing artists with the resources they need to be successful, these organizations strengthen community for us all."

ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION

The McKnight Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations through grantmaking, coalition-building, and encouragement of strategic policy reform. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Minnesota-based Foundation had assets of approximately $1.8 billion and granted about $98 million in 2009.