They dreamed big. They took chances. They held their breath.

Thirty-six artists and organizations took home $2.7 million from the Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia funding initiative earlier this year. And it all started with two questions.

It's time again for all types of Philly creatives to claim their stake. Starting Monday, the Knight Foundation is accepting applications for its second year of funding in the three-year, $9 million campaign to fund Greater Philadelphia's most innovative ideas in the arts to engage and enrich communities. Applications are being accepted through Oct. 31.

There are only three rules:
- Idea must be about the arts.
- Project must take place in or benefit Philadelphia.
- Grant recipients must find matching funds within a year.

"We want people to tell us what moves them, so that together we can help engage and move the soul of the community," says Dennis Scholl, vice president of the Arts for Knight Foundation.

Last year, 1,752 submissions were received. Philadelphia is one of only two cities in which Knight is offering this program (it launched in Miami in 2008).

JOE PETRUCCI is managing editor of Flying Kite. Send feedback here.