Last spring, the New Kensington Community Development Corporation was named a Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia winner for the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby. Founded in 2007, the annual derby strengthens the cultural and economic fabric of the Kensington community by celebrating the talents of local artists in a fun and interactive way that attracts thousands of visitors.  This design competition and parade showcases human-powered transit and art and brings attention to the creative sector, the commercial corridors and the local businesses that exist in the community. We spoke with the organization’s Economic Development Director, Angie Williamson, about the Derby and the Knight Arts Challenge.

Knight Arts: What made you decide to apply to the Knight Arts Challenge?    The opportunity to make our Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby bigger and better and reach more people!

Can you tell us more about your winning idea and what people can expect when they come to a Kinetic Sculpture Derby? The Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby started out as an economic development initiative to get people to visit, shop and dine in the Kensington Area and on the Frankford Avenue Arts Corridor.   NKCDC seeks talented and creative individuals to participate in the Derby – these folks build kinetic sculptures (human powered transportation “floats”) and parade through the neighborhood on a 3.5 mile loop. The derbies range from simple costumed bike riders to giant representations of pizzas and genetically modified chickens.  It takes a lot of work and dedication behind the scenes to pull off the derby, but with help from Knight Foundation we were able to have a seamless Derby, improved from last year with bleachers, barricades, a longer mud pit and more!

What went through your mind when you found out you were a finalist? Some people are intimidated by the idea of raising funds to match Knight’s grant within a year. How have you approached that thus far? Our gut reaction was pure glee at being able to improve the derby, which has had a shoestring budget since its inception.  We seek sponsorships from local businesses to help put on the Derby, and being able to indicate that we’re trying to match our Knight Arts Challenge grant only makes the fundraising easier.  When there’s a “campaign” or a goal to reach, people seem to give more freely.

Do you have any advice for this year’s applicants? Be realistic and idealistic – think big, dream big, but have a plan for how to pull it all off.

The 2011 Derby was hugely successful – what do you have planned leading up to 2012, and how can people get involved?   In 2012 we’re looking at changing the route and location just a bit to accommodate our growing crowds, and we’re really pushing to have more youth involved in the derby.  We are also forming a planning committee which will help organize and implement the event.  People can be involved in many ways, from being on the planning committee, being a day-of volunteer, or entering the Derby itself!  They can contact our VISTA Sarah Schimenck at [email protected] for more information.

See more photos from last year’s Derby here.

Could this be your year? Submit your best idea here by midnight on Monday, Oct. 31.