ArtPrize - An open art contest based in Grand Rapids Michigan, the world's largest Art Prize.

Monroe Community Church
Exhibition director Steve Fridsma

Exhibition statement Monroe Community Church is an emerging Christian faith community whose mission is “Connecting our downtown community to our life-changing God.” We seek to honor God through celebrating the creative talents of our members, friends, and the community. We embrace the arts by having an art group, continual shows, mentoring at the Coit Arts Academy, and conducting creative, multi-sensory worship experiences. MCC would welcome artists to take advantage of our space, especially if the work is spiritual in nature. Our creative worship team will conduct a 4-week series of worship services based upon themes generated by some of the art that we host. We also plan to have an opening reception, open-mic artist night, and are willing to host private receptions for a small fee. We also expect many K-12 student trips will visit our venue. Past artists remark that they become family when exhibiting with us. Our team is made up of an architect, graphic artist, illustrator, photographer, and painter.
Artist considerations
Custom lighting available:	Yes
Electrical available:	Yes
Internet access:	Yes
Additional venue fee:	Yes
Reason for additional fee: For 2009 and 2010 Artprize, we created high quality mailers/brochures featuring all of our artists and a map to our venue. The entire church passed these out as they enjoyed ArtPrize, and they also went out to our mailing list in the church and business community. We also handled all of the additional insurance costs on behalf of our artists. Finally, we also have an experienced team that volunteers all day to assist on install and uninstall days. For 2011 we wish to charge a $50 fee per artist to help cover the printing of the brochures, postage, and insurance costs. We anticipate hosting 20 artists in 2011.

Space considerations
Indoor space available:	Yes
Outdoor space available:	Yes
Previous ArtPrize venue:	Yes
Estimated number of visitors: 1001-10,000

Floorplan(s)

Description of exhibition space
Please refer to the floor plan amongst the submitted photos. Display rail systems and lighting were installed for the 2009 and 2010 ArtPrize when we hosted 18 artists. It is a great space for receptions, an open-mic artist night, and themed events. We've now never been without an art show up since updating the space for the 2009 ArtPrize event.

Visitor considerations

Venue description Monroe Community Church meets in an open renovated warehouse space in the heart of the North Monroe neighborhood, which is home to galleries, parks, studios, restaurants, offices, and condos. Our main space for ArtPrize will be our 62’ x 64’ multi-use assembly space that includes a library/lounge, screen, and an open kitchen. One of the interior walls is the former exterior wall of the building next door, featuring interesting brickwork and enclosed masonry window openings. The space has a lot of raw character with sealed concrete floors, painted block and brick walls, and 18’ high exposed steel structure. This very rugged space is not precious and could tolerate custom display and fastening systems for installation artwork. Worship seating can adapt to fit the art we host. We have an array of flexible theatrical light fixtures. We will be open for at least the Minimum hours and our staff will also work in the space for SOME of the extended hours, depending upon work schedules.
Hours
Opening Day 6PM-10PM Monday-Thursday 5PM-8PM Friday & Saturday 12PM-10PM Sunday 12PM-6PM

Free public bathrooms:	Yes
Free public parking:	Yes
Handicap accessible:	Yes

	Claire Johnson Work: In Life You Need to Be a Brick Wall
	Bill Vriesema Work: Tunnel of trees
	James Keul Work: The Progress of Man
	Robin Jensen Work: The A & H Club...
	Benjamin Gaucher Work: 6:15
	Christa Barnell Work: Lily's Lantern: a Tale of the Graffiti Forest
	Rebecca Glotfelty Work: LandMine
	shawna vandelier Work: "When the Wind Blows"
	Lydia Larson Work: Envoy
	Robin Protz Work: Birth of a Dream
	Katie Gotch Work: Fishing the Urban Reef
	Jan Dean Work: Home II
	Julia Smilde Work: Fleeting
	Lisa Higby LeFevre Work: Precipice of Change
	Dawn Wohlford Work: Compartmentalized States of Being
	John Catania Work: "Wingspan"
	Rachel Durfee Work: In Flight
	Rachel Hyde Work: Open to Grace
	Christine V. Hampton Work: A Nickel for a Story
	Brian Whitfield Work: The Final Nail
	Kate Lewis Work: All Things Emerge and Expand Out

Venue location

Websites