ArtPrize 10 : 2018

ArtPrize 10 : September 19 - October 7, 2018

ArtPrize has been an energizing part of my life for the past few years. The city of Grand Rapids comes more alive, people seem more connected, the community is engaged, conversations about art are sparked, and new connections are made. This year the Grand Rapids Symphony had four entries in ArtPrize, and it was fun to be involved in such a huge community-wide endeavor. I took some photographs, you are welcome to scroll through the slideshow in this post to see some of my experiences.

No matter what my opinions seem to be about some of the artwork in the city over the years, I can't stop but think about how engaging this festival has been for the community.

Art spurs thoughts. Art can be a statement. Art can speak in ways the news and words cannot. Art is powerful.

After a decade of ArtPrize competitions, the city of Grand Rapids will see changes in the coming years. Rather than an annual city-wide competition open to anyone, "Project 1 by ArtPrize" will commence.

What is ArtPrize?
Since 2008 ArtPrize was an open, independently organized international art competition taking place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  More than five hundred thousand dollars in prizes were awarded each year, which included a $200,000 prize awarded entirely by public vote and another $200,000 prize awarded by a jury of art experts.

Starting next year, 2019, ArtPrize will now alternate years with "Project 1 by ArtPrize". This new spin on the annual competition is meant to engage a single artist or small group of artists to present a citywide public art project. Learn more at project1byartprize.org.

It will be interesting to see how this affects the community of Grand Rapids as a whole. The city has grown since 2008. I look forward to next year and the changes to come.

Linked below are my previous posts on ArtPrize 8 from 2016:

ArtPrize 8 Pt. 1
ArtPrize 8 Pt. 2

Keep creating.
Larissa