In just the first of a three-year, $9 million initiative, Knight Foundation has funded 36 winning ideas that are bringing fresh thinking, inspiration and innovation to Philadelphia’s arts scene.  Two years remain, but this year’s application deadline is fast approaching. There’s no time like the present to go for the extra push your project needs. Here are a few of last year’s winning ideas in Philadelphia.  Don’t delay – submit your application by Oct. 31!

• Artist Darla Jackson is creating the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym, to help sculptors create their works safely while using heavy-duty tools.
• Pig Iron Theater Company is strengthening the contemporary performing arts scene by launching a two-year training program for actors and directors.
• The artist collective VoxPopuli won support for the innovative arts series, Spectrum, that crosses the traditional boundaries of visual art, performance, music, film, video, dance and theater.
• The Fairmount Park Art Association will transform the night sky and explore the intersection of art and technology through “Open Air,” a public art event of roving searchlights that can be controlled by the public with smart phones.
• The artist-run dance company BalletX (above) will surprise ballet audiences with new and unexpected dance, comedy, music and spoken word performances during their season.
• The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra will hand audiences the baton with  free, hands-on conducting lessons in front of professional musicians and a live audience with iConduct!

Read about all 36 first-year winners here.

So, what’s your idea?  Submit your best idea (or ideas – you can submit as many ideas as you’d like!) here by midnight on Monday, Oct. 31.