Mission

Be a catalyst for collisions and connections between artists and communities, for the sake of infusing vitality and courage into culture.

Our mission begins with the value that art is important.

Design Brief

ArtPrize^® is built on five core principles. Read about them in our design brief.

Art is important

We can all agree that art is important. It's only with questions about "which art?" or "why?" that we start to disagree. ArtPrize is an event where, for two weeks, everyone can find a way to put the fundamental belief that art is important into action.

The vote is not a way to discover the "best" art. It is the action to get everyone talking about art.

The prize is not a reward for the most important achievement. It is the world's largest excuse to get creative and try something new.

A hands-on event

ArtPrize is a platform for creation, an event that you can take into your own hands. Its founder, Rick DeVos, knew the event required a very simple framework with plenty of room for creativity.

The event energy has to be focused. The time is two weeks, the place is downtown Grand Rapids--a walkable space with plenty of available real estate for potential venues.

For endless possibility of what can happen, there must be endless possibility for players. Open call to artists, open call to venues--that choose artists--and an open vote to the visiting public.

To avoid total confusion, and therefore no participation, rules are necessary. The question is: how few are needed to open the most possibility?

The event only happens because of the players. But how do you get all the players together? A catalyst is needed.

You’ve probably guessed what that catalyst is: The world's largest art prize.

The prize is a catalyst, but the community is the main event. It keeps growing after the prize is given.