Meetinghouse Named Finalist in Knight Arts Challenge

The could receive some extra help in its fundraising efforts.

, due to its inclusion of a light installation by artist James Turrell, has been named a finalist for the 2012 Knights Arts Challenge. The contest awards grants to artists and organizations that would bring an innovative artistic opportunity to Philadelphia.

The meetinghouse construction was named as one of 55 finalists, chosen from more than 1,200 applicants. A press release from the Knight Foundation described the project’s benefit, saying it would “spark dialogue about contemporary art by incorporating the work of internationally acclaimed light artist James Turrell into a new Quaker meetinghouse that is open to all.”

“The diversity of finalists proves that good ideas really can come from anywhere. We’re seeing ideas from across our many neighborhoods that we believe will help bring us together through the arts,” said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Philadelphia program director for Knight Foundation, in the press release.

According to the release, 36 winners were named last year, and were granted a total of $2.7 million. The winners have to raise funds to match the Knight grant, which should be no problem for the Meetinghouse project, which has been raising funds for the construction for more than a year.

The winners of the challenge will be named this spring. The groundbreaking for the meetinghouse, at 20 E. Mermaid Lane, is also planned for spring of 2012.