9/14/23 - ArtPrize 2023 Kicks Off Tonight Downtown Grand Rapids

Over 800 artists have entered ArtPrize. The event runs Sept. 14 - Oct. 1, 2023 in downtown Grand Rapids.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - For the next 18 days, thousands of visitors will head to downtown Grand Rapids for this fall's ArtPrize event.

More than 800 artists, representing 15 countries and 30 states, are participating at various locations throughout the downtown area.

The artists are competing for prizes in the Public Vote and Juror Competitions. If you want to vote, you need a mobile device.

First, you will need to register. You must be within the ArtPrize district boundaries from Sept. 14 to Sept. 28 and scan a QR code found on an artist’s entry label to start the registration process. You can also visit https://experience.artprize.org to register. To vote for your favorite art pieces, you will need to scan the QR code or enter the 5-digit Artist ID.  The first round of voting ends at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 21.  On Sept. 22, the top five entries from each category will be announced at 5 p.m. and the second round of voting for the top 25 finalists opens at 8 p.m.  Round 2 voting ends at 11:50 p.m. Sept. 28, and the winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Sept.29 at Rosa Parks Circle.

Artists taking part in this year’s ArtPrize will compete for the public vote prizes, with $125,000 awarded to first place, $50,000 to second and $25,000 to third.

The juror competition will feature a five-member committee that will award artists in the following categories: 2-D, 3-D, installation, time-based and digital. The winner of each category will win $20,000 and ArtPrize will recognize a second artist from each category with a $5,000 runner-up prize.

ArtPrize will officially kickoff tonight with a special opening celebration.  It takes place from 5pm - 10pm, at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in front of the Ford Museum.  There will be art, live music, food trucks, games and fireworks.

Each year ArtPrize brings an economic boost to the Grand Rapids area.  Last year over 750,000 people visited during ArtPrize. 

For more information on the events, where entries are located, where to park, etc., go to the ArtPrize website. ArtPrize.org