For another year, one west Michigan city has turned into an art project for hundreds of artists from around the world.
ArtPrize, the world’s largest international art competition, is underway in Grand Rapids. Until October 2nd, art will be exhibited throughout the city in public parks, museums, galleries, storefronts, bars, on the sides of buildings, on bridges and anywhere else imaginable.
With more than 150 local venues and about 750 artists from 15 different countries, ArtPrize is an event on a scale unseen anywhere else in the world. There are daily events throughout the city, and numerous opportunities for visitors to interact with the artists.
Organizers expect up to two million visitors to the city this year to experience the expansive event, and are looking forward to getting back to normal after a limited event last year.
“Last year we were purposeful at not having gatherings; even the closing celebration was limited to just artists,” said Searer, to the Grand Rapids Business Journal. “We brought back a lot of in-person activities. That was very intentional to get people back together under one roof, so to speak, kind of talking the same language about art and learning.”
This year, ArtPrize is awarding $250,000 directly to artists, through grants to support their work, as well as through prizes decided by the public. The ArtPrize organization says its goal is to produce contemporary art experiences that encourage critical discourse, celebrate artists, transform urban space and promote cultural understanding. For more, visit artprize.org.
(Photos provided by ArtPrize)
