hero image
About

About Artprize

Sept 13 - 28

Everyone needs times of connection and belonging. The thrill of being part of something bigger than ourselves. The jubilant intersection of creativity, fellowship, and wonder.

You've felt it before, right? We have too. And it's what we're all about.

For sixteen days, art is exhibited in galleries and storefronts. Parks and museums. In breweries and public spaces and Venues of all kinds.

As for the prize in ArtPrize, we award over $400,000 directly to artists through both popular and juried voting. In addition, we distribute over $200,000 in annual grants to support the ambitious work of eligible participating Artists.

Our roots reach back to 2009, and we're taking the best of what we've been—what you've loved—and merging it with new inspiration. Because through a public/private partnership, this remarkable event for the community is also a remarkable event of the community.

This is everyone's ArtPrize. Let's make it awesome together.

A collaboration among The City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI), and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD)

Tentative Future Dates:

9/19-10/4, 2025
9/18-10/3, 2026

Learn More

Our History

Fifteen years of radical invention.

ArtPrize erupted on the scene in 2009, immediately establishing itself as a cultural phenomenon by grabbing the attention of artists and art critics around the world. From the beginning, it featured public voting, huge prizes, equally huge crowds, and a whole lot of engaging discussion. In 2010, ArtPrize introduced categories of juried awards, inviting international experts to bestow more honors. Anila Quayyum Agha’s piece “Intersections” made ArtPrize history in 2014 by winning Grand Prizes from both the public and a jury. As the years passed, ArtPrize continued to evolve, announcing in 2022 a new public/private partnership among the City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI), and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD). And today, we’re providing more artists opportunities through the Visibility Awards, presented by MillerKnoll, and expanded grant offerings. We're also recommitted to the things that made ArtPrize a phenomenon in the first place: amazing art, public voting, big prizes, dynamic events, tons of people, and abundant joy.

Learn More

our team

Catlin Whitington
Executive Director
Catlin Whitington
Eric DeLong
Special Projects
Eric DeLong
Chandra Ward
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS
Chandra Ward
Destani Shadrick
Development Director
Destani Shadrick
Veronica Anderson
Development Manager
Veronica Anderson
Rebecca Postlewait
Development Coordinator
Rebecca Postlewait
Mallory Shotwell
Cultivate - Education Partner
Mallory Shotwell
Tiffany Falcon-Ewigleben
Project Manager
Tiffany Falcon-Ewigleben
JoLee Kirkikis
Exhibitions Director
JoLee Kirkikis
Kailey Smith-Barth
Exhibitions Manager
Kailey Smith-Barth
Sage Johnston
Exhibitions Coordinator
Sage Johnston
Theresa Anderson
Production and Operations Director
Theresa Anderson
Damien Allen
Production Manager
Damien Allen
Emerson Antcliff
Volunteer Manager
Emerson Antcliff
Mark Osgerby
Director of Marketing and Communications
Mark Osgerby
Amy Day
Creative Director
Amy Day
Adam Schuitema
Content and Writing
Adam Schuitema
Lilly Klinetop
Customer Support Specialist
Lilly Klinetop
Ally Fulton
Digital Marketing Manager
Ally Fulton
Luke Maksymetz
Graphic Design Intern
Luke Maksymetz
Mali Borisch
Exhibitions Intern
Mali Borisch
Maylyn Southavilai
Events Intern
Maylyn Southavilai
Kris G Snyder
Administrative Intern
Kris G Snyder
Isaias Rivera
Communications Intern
Isaias Rivera

Steering Committee

Ryan Anderson
Vice President of Global Research and Insights - MillerKnoll
Ryan Anderson
Rosalynn Bliss
Mayor - City of Grand Rapids
Rosalynn Bliss
David M. Leonard, JD
Chief Legal Officer - Corewell Health
David M. Leonard, JD
Tyler Loftis
Founder - AllArtWorks
Tyler Loftis
Tara McCrackin
President - Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD)
Tara McCrackin
Dr. Juan Olivarez, Ph.D
President - Aquinas College (ret.)
Dr. Juan Olivarez, Ph.D
Mark Secchia
Founder - Silva
Mark Secchia
Brad Thomas
President & CEO - Progressive Companies
Brad Thomas
Michael B. Verhulst
Managing Partner - V2 / Verhulst Ventures
Michael B. Verhulst
Mark Washington
City Manager - Grand Rapids
Mark Washington
Richard A. Winn
President - AHC Hospitality
Richard A. Winn
illustration
illustration
Past Winners

The legacy of ArtPrize derives in large part from the immense impact of its winning Artists. They’ve delighted us and revealed fresh insights into the world and ourselves.

View Past Winners

PUBLICATIONS

If you're with the press, please reach out via our Contact page for detailed media inquiries and official press releases.

Grand Rapids Magazine
ArtPrize 2024 unveils exciting, inspiring events

Expect a party atmosphere and big spectacle at signature events.

August 21, 2024 - Regional Media
WZZM
Organizers, venues in final stages of prepping as ArtPrize nears

ArtPrize is only a few weeks away, and those in charge hope to top last year's number of almost a million visitors.

August 20, 2024 - Loca News
WZZM
$54.7 MILLION | ArtPrize infused millions into the economy in 2023

A study by Grand Valley State University estimates that ArtPrize 2023 injected over $54 million into the total economy.

February 26, 2024 - Local News
Fox17
From Africa to ArtPrize: How Abdoulaye Conde painted 'Raining Wisdom'

Some of the freshest paint on the city's canvas has been splattered by Abdoulaye Conde, the artist who won the top prize during last year's ArtPrize for his mural, Raining Wisdom.

February 10, 2024 - Local News
Fox17
ArtPrize announces 2023 winning artists, awards $400K in prizes

ArtPrize— the annual international art competition in Grand Rapids— announced its 2023 winning artists Friday night.

September 29, 2023 - Local News
WOODTV
ArtPrize announces Top 25 for public vote prizes

The Top 25 vote-getters of ArtPrize 2023 were announced Friday. One of them will take home the $125,000 grand prize.

September 22, 2023 - Local News
Grand Rapids Magazine
ArtPrize is Here. Your Art Adventure Awaits.

Fourteen years after its founding, ArtPrize returns in 2023 under new leadership and renewed anticipation.

September 1, 2023 - Local News
WZZM 13
What changes will be made with ArtPrize 2.0

ArtPrize returns to Grand Rapids on Sept. 14 and continues through Oct. 1, 2023. Here's what you need to know:

August 9, 2023 - Local News
WMMT
ArtPrize 2023: Grand Rapids prepares to showcase global creativity, diversity

With just over a month left until Grand Rapids kicks off its 14th annual ArtPrize festival, organizers released new details about the upcoming event Wednesday.

August 9, 2023 - Local News
WOOD TV 8
City takes steps toward ArtPrize 2.0

City commissioners approved the next steps toward ArtPrize 2.0 Tuesday, as Grand Rapids prepares for the 14th anniversary of its beloved art festival.

August 8, 2023 - Local News
GR Kids
We're All Going In on ArtPrize 2023

If ArtPrize were a stock, we'd be shouting "buy" right now.

August 3, 2023 - Local News
Wood TV
20 finalists named in ArtPrize student competition

Twenty students have been named as finalists in ArtPrize’s student competition, SmartArt.

May 09, 2023 - Local News
WOOD TV
New ArtPrize executive director comes from SXSW

A former organizer for the massive and popular South by Southwest festival is the new executive director of ArtPrize.

April 01, 2023 - News Detail

Get in Touch

What can we help you with? Reach out with comments or questions, and we'll respond as soon as possible.

KCAD logo
Logo Kent County MI
DGRI logo horizontal
KCAD logo
Logo Kent County MI
DGRI logo horizontal
KCAD logo
Logo Kent County MI
DGRI logo horizontal