Dennis Scholl, Vice President for Arts and Program Director for Miami
Knight Foundation, like its founders Jack and Jim Knight, focuses on promoting informed and engaged communities. To that end, we strongly believe in the potential of the arts to engage residents, and bring a community together.
Hearing Handel, or seeing the tango in an unexpected place provides a deeply felt reminder of how the classics can enrich our lives. As you’ll see in our videos, the performances make people smile, dance, grab their cameras – even cry with joy. For those brief moments, people going along in their everyday lives are part of a shared, communal experience that makes their community a more vibrant place to live.
In these days of shrinking audiences, we also hope that these random acts will encourage people to attend traditional performances. We can’t promise it. But it’s hard to watch what unfolds during a Random Act of Culture ®, and not be inspired to see and hear more.
Take a look at the videos, and let us know what you think.
How can we organize a Random Act of Culture event for San Juan, PR? Thank you for your prompt reply.
Hi Sammy, Knight Foundation is concentrating on funding Random Acts of culture in eight U.S. communities: Akron, Ohio; Charlotte, N.C.; Detroit, Mich.; Macon, Ga.; Miami, Fla.; Philadelphia, Pa.; San Jose, Calif.; and St. Paul, Minn. We’re glad you like them though!
What’s the connection in St Paul; who’s involved? I work at the airport…………..
Hi Victoria, Knight Foundation is funding Random Acts of Culture in eight of the cities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers, including St. Paul.
All,
Your ‘You Tube’ performance has been sent to me when you performed at Macy’s in November of 2010. Not long ago I received another ‘You Tube’ where you performed at ( I believe) a Farmers Market. I just had to take a moment and “THANK YOU” for sharing your gifted voices with the public. We all cannot not afford seeing you in person so when we are able to see you mingle with the rest of us, it is truly a GIFT WELL RECEIVED.
Thank You All Ever So Much, You Have Truly Left Me With Such A Good Feeling – Gloria (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Merry Christmas
I am thrilled to see the response of the public. They seem – like me – unable to tear themselves away. I hope to encounter one of your random acts. What a joy to watch. Kudos to the actors. Thanks to the Kinght Foundation.
Please tell me how to organize one of these! I would love to do it for Phoenix AZ!
I am one of the ones you made cry – an incredible idea -makes one remember what it means to be human – so important when so much in ths age seems set to destroy all we hold dear – thank you singers and thank you Knight Foundation for a wonderful few moments.
I saw this video on a friends Facebook page, you are to be applauded and I just want to say thank you ,this music is timeless and crosses all international borders .
FABULOUS! the music begins, the dance starts, and we all warm to the creative expression- A timeless reminder in a hurry rush rush society that this is the stuff that makes us smile, gladdens our heart and inspires us to stand with our neighbor and simply enjoy- thank you for spreading joy and harmony!!!
I have forwarded this to everyone that I have an email address for. The choice of Handel’s Messiah might be a bigger project than you knew you were participating in. I hope that this will be an ongoing effort and would be happy to contribute. You have done more to inspire than I will in my lifetime as a minister perhaps.
Humbled and grateful,
Rev. Toni P. Pate
I haven’t cried in a while
I was moved to tears just watching the video. People’s reactions really got me. This project is a great thing for our culture.
The authenticity of having someone standing next to you burst into brilliant song drew tears as well as joy from my soul. How wonderful to bring art to the people in such a real and approachable way, I do not believe anyone can remain untouched by experiencing this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to share it.
That’s really tikhning out of the box. Thanks!
Bravo! I can’t decide which is my favourite–the “Hallelujah”chorus at Macy’s sung to the magnificent Wanamaker organ or opera in the shoe department, or is it the tango at the airport? It serves as a reminder that the arts really are for everyone. Now, is it possible to expand this wonderful programme, and bring it to San Antonio, Texas? There are so many talented performers–soloists and groups–who deserve to be heard better and who could touch so many lives with a random act of culture.
Perfect! Random acts of culture is exactly what we need. It goes hand in hand with random acts of kindness.
Simple and clear: it ‘s a YES ! ! !
How could South Florida’s transit agencies apply for a grant to fund random acts of culture at various transit locations such as train stations and bus terminals?
Hi, thanks for your note. We’ve passed your information along to our Miami partner for Random Acts of Culture so that they can connect with you directly about scheduling performances. In the interim, please stay tuned to all the Random Acts of Culture fun at randomactsofculture.org. Thanks!
Peace and Blessings…would be honored to become a feature in your “Random Acts of Culture” program.
I am a storyteller and Musician. Storytelling is one the oldest art forms known to mankind. This wonderful program is a perfect vihicle to bring Storytelling to the public.
Oh, this is a brilliant idea. I have already seen your performance of Haendel’s Halelluyah at youtube. It is amazing and the people there loved to be reached by this unspectable random action.
I wrote a thank you to Macy’s, when I first saw the video in Philly. I was so totally impressed by the work that went into it and so very pleased to see such a beautiful performance. It just absolutely touched my heart. What a wonderful way to celebrate a season, fellowship and give folks, all sorts of folks a taste of culture. Bless you all!
I am an avid follower of ramdom acts. My favourite so far has been “Hallelujah”chorus at Macy’s. I am from Kenya and we have groups that would like to do the same here in Kenya. Is there any chance that the Foundation can fund Random Acts here in Kenya?
Retired radio Morning Man–39 years..For 30 of them , during the Christmas holiday I became famous for ALWAYS playing “Hallelujah” chorus every morning, from 6 to 10 at a different time each day..I just had my first “flash mob” from Macy’s ,done in Oct 2010—why so long to catch up for me????
Does the Random Acts of Culture initiative engage communities beyond those listed (ie – we facilitate a public university community media initiative/hub in Atlanta)?
Thanks!