Yesterday, the Knight Foundation announced a $3.5 million dollar investment in San Jose. Awarded to 1st Act Silicon Valley, this challenge grant is intended to help local leaders develop capacity and structure for local arts and culture organizations. Click here to read the press release.
I’ve been intrigued by this group since last summer, as they presented to the San Jose City Council a vision for downtown. It was inventive and ground breaking. The short sighted council’s response, “Great, but show me the money!” Well the folks at 1st Act now have the money and will hopefully leverage this to pull others into the fold - obviously no small task. However, choosing Connie Martinez, former Exectuive Director of the award winning Children's Discovery Museum as the efforts Managing Director, showcases their saavy and powerhouse line up of supporters.
As a San Jose resident, who frequents downtown, I am excited to hear of the things to come. It is certainly long over due. Forcing arts organizations to squabble over crumbs is just bad practice. If we expect to harness the Valley’s creativity to bring us into another golden age, then we should be doing what we can to incubate the arts and programs that encourage us all to think differently.
Once I figure out how to help, I’m there and hope some of you will join me. Thank you Knight Foundation for believing San Jose!
Download 2007_KnightFdnPressRelease-1.pdf
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