ArtPrize is a massive citywide art event in Grand Rapids where any artist can show their work at a wide variety of venues, any attendee can vote on their favorite piece, expert jurors assessed and critiqued the work, and large cash prizes are given out. I was part of the team that started ArtPrize in 2009. Eventually I became Artistic Director, overseeing all artists and venues, jurors, speaker programming, grant programs, communications, design, and technology. In 2020 the entire staff was furloughed because of COVID-19, and I decided to find another job.
Here are two things I’ve written about ArtPrize at different inflection points in its history.
From September, 2020: Is ArtPrize Over?
From January, 2017: Some Thoughts on ArtPrize in a New Political Reality
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