Media Contact:
305.377.1140
Nicolle Ugarriza, Director of Public Affairs x1201
nugarriza@youngarts.org
Kate McPherson, Manager of Communications x1203
kmcpherson@youngarts.org

November, 2009, Miami, FL: YoungArts will honor the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and its President and CEO Alberto Ibargüen for their distinguished leadership and unwavering commitment to supporting the arts. The honor will be highlighted at YoungArts’ annual An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala, January 16 at 6:30pm at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and DuPont Building in Downtown Miami.

Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. In addition, the foundation focuses on projects that promote community engagement and lead to transformational change. Ibargüen has been the leader of Knight Foundation since 2005 and is the former publisher of The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald. He is widely respected for his leadership both locally and nationally and for his steadfast commitment to philanthropy and the arts. At Knight Foundation, Ibargüen launched the Knight Arts Challenge, a five-year, $40 million initiative to unite South Florida through the arts. He also has served as board chair of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, on the Trustees’ Council of the National Gallery of Art and on the board of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. YoungArts recognizes Ibargüen and Knight Foundation’s contribution and dedication to supporting the arts and is privileged to be honoring them.

YoungArts is a proud recipient of a 2008 Knight Arts Challenge three year matching grant, which provides generous leadership funding for a new regional program YoungArts Miami, a local initiative launching this year, which mirrors the successful national YoungArts program. Because of the generous grant from Knight Foundation, YoungArts Miami will be able to impact many local up-and-coming high school artists, and provide them with life-changing and career-enhancing experiences that are unique to YoungArts, including master classes with world renowned artists, workshops, performances and financial support. This grant is also an opportunity for YoungArts to hold hands with the other grantees of the Knight Arts Challenge and build lasting relationships with these cultural affiliates. Given the challenges art institutions across the country are facing with the economic downturn, it is a welcome advantage for local institutions to be able to strategically team together and support each other through these difficult times. Ibargüen and Knight Foundation’s insight in aligning these cultural institutions on a local level will play an integral part in sustaining Miami’s artistic organizations.

“Alberto is a true arts aficionado and patron. His leadership in the community plays a vital role in the success of enriching Miami’s arts scene, and his work stretches beyond Miami, throughout our country. It gives me great pride to call him a friend and to be honoring him and the Knight Foundation at this event.” says Mary Frank, who is co-chairing the An Affair of the Arts Gala, alongside her husband Howard Frank, Carnival Corporation Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer.

For more information about An Affair of the Arts Gala, contact Megan Harmon at 305.377.1140x1302 or mharmon@youngarts.org. Visit www.youngarts.org for more information about YoungArts.