This Michigan City Hosts One Of The Worlds Largest Public Art Events

As one of the top destination cities in the Midwest, visiting Grand Rapids at any time of the year promises to be a great experience; however, there’s no better time to go than during ArtPrize, one of the world’s top public art festivals. Taking place each fall, it regularly brings half a million visitors and over 1,500 artists to the city for a three-week celebration of art in all its forms.

ArtPrize was launched in 2009 by native Grand Rapidian and entrepreneur Rick DeVos, who had the idea to create a new kind of art competition where anyone could enter any type of art, and anyone who attended could help pick the winner. It would also be a citywide event, with any venue in the city, from museums and bars to public parks and hotels, able to register to display the entries.

With a $250,000 prize in place, the world’s largest sum for an art competition based solely on votes from the public, the first festival attracted more than 1,000 entrants and over 200,000 visitors, who chose Brooklyn artist Ran Ortner as the winner.

In 2014, the festival was restructured around two Grand Prizes of $200,000, one chosen by the public vote and one selected by the panel of art experts. Other new features benefitting the city have included free public discussions about art, grants to support the artists, venues, curators, and educators participating in the event and educational programming for local schoolchildren.

Demonstrating the continued growth, 2017’s ArtPrize saw 1,346 works created by 1,512 artists from 42 states and 47 countries exhibited in 175 venues, and over its eight-year history, the competition has attracted nearly three million visitors and given out over $4 million in prize money. Alongside the huge economic impact it has had, it has stimulated the city’s art scene and culture and contributed to Grand Rapids becoming one of the best places to visit in the country.

ArtPrize 10 will take place from September 19 to October 7, 2018.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.