ArtPrize facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ArtPrize |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Status | active |
| Frequency |
|
| Location(s) | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 2009 |
| Founder | Rick DeVos |
ArtPrize is a huge art competition and festival held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's a unique event where anyone over 18 can show their art. Almost any place in the three-square-mile ArtPrize area can become an art spot! This includes museums, galleries, restaurants, hotels, parks, and even laundromats.
The festival runs for 19 days, usually starting in late September. During this time, a total of $500,000 in cash prizes are given out. These prizes are decided by both public votes and a special group of art experts called a jury.
ArtPrize was started in 2009 by Rick DeVos. His family helps support the event with about $560,000 each year. In 2017, one artist, Eric Millikin, created an artwork that commented on the festival's connection to the DeVos family's background.
ArtPrize is very popular! In 2014, The Art Newspaper said it was one of the most-visited art events, with 440,000 attendees. The New York Times even suggested visiting Grand Rapids in 2016 partly because of ArtPrize.
In 2018, ArtPrize announced a new plan: they would hold the main ArtPrize event every other year. In the years between, they would have a smaller "Project" exhibition. The 2019 Project 1 event had fewer visitors than expected. The 2020 ArtPrize was put off because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned in 2022, but some visitors felt the artworks were on a smaller scale than in previous years.
Contents
- What is ArtPrize?
- ArtPrize Through the Years
- Images for kids
- See Also
What is ArtPrize?
Rick DeVos created ArtPrize to be different from other art contests. His main ideas were:
- Any artist from anywhere in the world could enter.
- Any property owner in downtown Grand Rapids could offer their space as a venue.
- Any visitor could vote for their favorite artwork.
The organizers didn't want special committees or curators choosing the art. They wanted the public to have a big say. The plan was to give the largest cash prize in the art world based entirely on popular vote.
At the very first ArtPrize in 2009, only the public voted for the winners using their phones or the ArtPrize website. In 2010, they added categories judged by art experts. By 2014, the awards were split into two equal parts: one for public vote and one for the jury.
How Voting Works
To vote, you must visit the event in person. You can use the free ArtPrize mobile app, which knows when you are in the event area. Or, you can register in person at an ArtPrize HUB location. Each artwork has a special 5-digit code that you use to vote.
ArtPrize Through the Years
ArtPrize has grown and changed since it began. Here's a look at some of the past events.
2009: The First ArtPrize
The first ArtPrize took place from September 21 to October 9, 2009. It covered a 3-square-mile area in downtown Grand Rapids.
- 1,262 artists showed their work.
- 159 venues hosted the art.
- About 200,000 people visited the event.
- Over 334,000 votes were cast by 37,264 registered voters.
The total prize money in 2009 was $449,000. The first-place winner received $250,000!
Top 10 Public Vote Winners (2009)
1. Open Water no.24 – Ran Ortner 2. Imagine That! – Tracy Van Duinen 3. Portraits – Eric Daigh 4. The Grand Dance – David Lubbers 5. Moose – Bill Secunda 6. Nessie on the Grand – The Nessie Project 7. Field of Reeds – John Douglas Powers 8. The Furniture City Sets the Table for the World of Art – Sarah Grant 9. Ecstasy of The Scarlet Empress – Jason Hackenwerth 10. winddancer 2 – Michael Westra
2010: Adding Expert Judges
The 2010 event ran from September 22 to October 10. A big change was the introduction of "Exhibition Centers." These were cultural places that helped organize the event and featured professionally chosen art.
- 1,713 artists participated.
- 193 venues were used.
- About 250,000 people visited.
- Over 465,000 votes were cast by 44,912 registered voters.
For the first time, ArtPrize added special awards chosen by art experts. These were called "Juried Awards."
Public Vote Grand Prize Winner (2010)
- Cavalry, American Officers, 1921 – Chris LaPorte
Juried Awards (2010)
Expert judges gave awards in categories like Two-Dimensional, Three-Dimensional, Time/Performance, and Urban Space.
2011: More Performance Art
The 2011 ArtPrize was from September 21 to October 9. A new exhibition center was added just for performance art.
- 1,582 artists participated.
- 164 venues hosted art.
- About 322,000 people visited.
- Over 383,000 votes were placed by 38,811 registered voters.
Public Vote Grand Prize Winner (2011)
- Crucifixion – Mia Tavonatti
Juried Awards (2011)
Seven juried awards were given out, including a new one for an "Outstanding Venue."
2012: Bigger Juried Prizes
The 2012 ArtPrize ran from September 19 to October 7. This year, the juried awards became much bigger. Category prizes increased to $20,000, and a new $100,000 Juried Grand Prize was introduced.
- 1,517 artists participated.
- 161 venues were used.
- About 375,000 people visited.
- Over 412,000 votes were placed by 47,160 voters.
Public Vote Grand Prize Winner (2012)
- Elephants – Adonna Khare
Juried Grand Prize Winner (2012)
- Displacement (13208 Klinger St.) – Design 99
2013: Continued Growth
The 2013 ArtPrize took place from September 18 to October 6.
- 1,805 artists participated.
- 169 venues hosted art.
- About 400,000 people visited.
- Over 446,000 votes were cast by 49,000 voters.
Public Vote Grand Prize Winner (2013)
_(1).jpg)
- Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore – Ann Loveless
Juried Grand Prize Winner (2013)
- Ecosystem – Carlos Bunga
The 2014 ArtPrize ran from September 24 to October 12.
- 1,536 artists participated.
- 174 venues hosted art.
- Over 441,000 people visited.
- Over 398,000 votes were placed by 41,956 voters.
Public Vote Grand Prize Winner (2014)
- Intersections – Anila Quayyum Agha
Juried Grand Prize Winners (2014)
For the first time, the Juried Grand Prize was split between two artworks!
- Intersections – Anila Quayyum Agha
- The Hair Craft Project – Sonya Clark
It was also the first time that both the public and the jury chose the same artwork, Intersections, for a top prize.
2015: ArtPrize Seven
ArtPrize Seven took place from September 23 to October 11.
- 1,649 artists participated.
- 162 venues hosted art.
- Over 438,000 people visited.
- Over 422,000 votes were cast by 35,481 registered voters.
Public Vote Grand Prize Winner (2015)
- Northwood Awakening – Loveless Photofiber
Juried Grand Prize Winner (2015)
- Higher Ground – Kate Gilmore
2016: ArtPrize Eight
ArtPrize Eight ran from September 21 to October 9.
- 1,453 artists participated.
- 170 venues hosted art.
- Over 507,000 people visited.
- Over 380,000 votes were cast by 37,433 registered voters.
Public Vote Grand Prize Winner (2016)
- Wounded Warrior Dogs – James Mellick
Juried Grand Prize Winner (2016)
- The Bureau of Personal Belonging – Stacey Kirby
2017: ArtPrize Nine
ArtPrize Nine took place from September 20 to October 8.
- 1,346 artists participated.
- 175 venues hosted art.
- Over 522,000 people visited.
- Over 384,000 votes were cast by 43,010 registered voters.
Public Vote Grand Prize Winner (2017)
- A. Lincoln – Richard Schlatter
Juried Grand Prize Winner (2017)
- The Heartside Community Meal – Seitu Jones
2018: ArtPrize 10
The 2018 ArtPrize, also known as ArtPrize 10, ran from September 19 to October 7. This was the last year ArtPrize was held annually before switching to every other year.
Important Dates (2018)
| Item | Dates |
|---|---|
| Venue Registration | March 5 – April 5 |
| Artist Registration | April 16 – June 7 |
| Connections | April 25 – June 28 |
| Volunteer Registration | Opens early-August |
| Preview Week | September 12–18 |
| ArtPrize 10 | September 19 – October 7 |
2019: Project 1 Exhibition
In 2019, ArtPrize started a new series called "Project." Project 1 ran from September 7 to October 27. The idea was to have the main ArtPrize event every other year, with a "Project" exhibition in between. While organizers said Project 1 was a success, fewer people visited, and some felt it wasn't as exciting as the main ArtPrize. After Project 1, the executive director of ArtPrize, Jori Bennett, stepped down.
Images for kids
-
'Oil + Water' by Ryan Spencer Reed & Richard App
See Also
- List of art competitions
