Chicago-based artist and Akron native, Danny Volk, will be bringing his popular YouTube interview series to his hometown this September as a winner of the Knight Arts Challenge. The project will be funded in part by a matching grant of $12,500 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Volk will schedule free live performances of his project, Made-Up with Danny Volk: The Akron Sessions at area venues this fall. Made-Up with Danny Volk (MUwDV) is a unique video/live series in which artist Danny Volk interviews other artists about their work. As Danny asks questions, the artists do his makeup, resulting in an intimate, personal in-depth conversation about art and life. The purpose of this project is to educate the public about artists and art organizations in the area while promoting the artists’ work and the missions of the organizations.

As an effort to raise funds for the matching grant, a fundraising event will be held at the Akron Art Museum on Wednesday, April 5 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. During the event, attendees will learn more about the project and experience an exclusive preview of what is to come in September. Volk will be interviewing Victoria Rogers, Vice President of the Arts Program at Knight Foundation. Tickets are available to purchase ahead of time via Eventbrite and can be purchased at the door the day of the event. Admission is $10 before the event and $15 at the door. Ticket price includes a musical performance by local band, Comfort Clouds, light refreshments, and a cash bar. An after-party will follow the event where attendees will be able to talk to Danny and the curator at Uncorked Wine Bar about the upcoming project.

Eight separate interviews and events will be scheduled during the month of September 2017 and will be the seventh season of the series. The eight visual artists selected will be based in the Akron region or have ties to the city in some way. Each event will be held at a different location, will be free of charge and open to the public. The schedule will be announced this summer. Videos of the interviews will be available for a larger national and international audience via the MUwDV YouTube Channel.