Big Night in Little Haiti Will Relaunch This Year Thanks to Beck's Urban Canvas

The beer company Beck's has donated $20,000 to salvage the recently defunded Big Night in Little Haiti. Beck’s Urban Canvas has partnered with South Florida nonprofit Rhythm Foundation to relaunch the monthly free music and arts series that celebrated art, music, culture, and food at the Little Haiti Cultural Center.

Earlier this year, it was announced that funds had run out for the event, which ran every third Friday of the month since 2011, thus seemingly bringing a disappointing close to a happening that had galvanized the community in Little Haiti.

Meanwhile, last summer, Beck’s Urban Canvas hit up Miami and showcased 12 local artists who were commissioned to create murals and installations throughout Little Haiti, Little Havana, Hialeah, and Wynwood. The event was such a success that the German beer company decided to do it all over again this year, commissioning five emerging artists to showcase their work at the kick-off festivities this past June in Little Haiti. In addition, Beck’s also announced the news that it had joined forces with Rhythm Foundation to relaunch Big Night in Little Haiti.

“We are always looking for ways to foster and support local artists and communities in South Florida,” says Daniel Blake, Beck’s senior associate brand manager. “Beck’s and Miami both have rich histories of creativity, innovation, and supporting artistic pursuits.”

Big Night in Little Haiti had gotten its start thanks to three grants from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, with the stipulation that it would eventually become self-sustaining. Over time, the event ended up costing $10,000 a month to put together. Organizers were forced to ask the community for donations to sustain the event, but they had to announce the end of Big Night this past April.

Now, it seems, Big Night in Little Haiti has been rescued.

According to Beck’s Urban Canvas, the relaunch will take place later this year as an ongoing annual series.