FAQ
When is ArtPrize?
ArtPrize is held every year in the fall.
This year, ArtPrize will be held over 16 days from Friday, September 13 to Saturday, September 28.
Who’s running ArtPrize now?
ArtPrize 2024 is presented in partnership with the City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.
However, the ArtPrize team as an entity is organized under a Steering Committee and supported by the community in its efforts.
What is ArtPrize?
ArtPrize is an annual international art competition and cultural event held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We fundraise year round to cover our entire operating budget, including the over $600,000 awarded in prizes and distributed in grants to artists, curators, and educators.
The largest source of contributions is corporate giving, followed by foundations, individuals, and government grants.
How do artists participate?
Artist registration is open from April 11, 2024 to May 31, 2024.
Click here to register.
You can enter by signing up on our website, creating your profile, and registering your entry. Registration must be completed online; there is no paper application.
Artist and venue Connections will be open from June 3 to June 30, 2024.
You can view Artist FAQs by clicking the link below. There, you'll find additional details and specifics regarding artist registration, rules, and participation.
How do venues participate?
ArtPrize is remarkably open and collaborative by design. Any space within the ArtPrize district that registers during the venue registration period and meets approval requirements is eligible to host one or more ArtPrize artists and organize its own show.
Collectively, these independently organized art shows comprise one of the world's largest art competitions, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all around the world.
Venue registration is open from March 14 to April 17, 2024.
VENUE REGISTRATION EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 3.
Click here to register.
Artist and venue Connections will be open from June 3 to June 30, 2024.
You can view Venue FAQs by clicking the link below. There, you'll find additional details regarding venue registration, rules, and participation.
What is the 'Prize' in ArtPrize?
ArtPrize offers over $600,000 in grants and awards to artist participants.
Awards are determined by both a public voting and juried award process. Public votes select both a grant prize award winner and category winners in each of the six entry categories. Juried awards are selected by a panel of experts in each of the six entry categories:
2D – Entries that exist primarily on a flat plane. Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and most textiles are examples of 2D work.
3D – Entries that occupy space and are intended to be viewed from multiple angles. Sculptures that are not site-specific (see the installation category for site-specific sculptures) belong in the 3D category.
Time-Based – Entries that are durational and change over time. The viewer has to spend some time with the work to fully view it. This includes performance, video and film, dance, music, and interactive work.
Installation – Entries that are dependent on the site in which they are installed. The location is not a neutral ground and is an important element of the work. Installation is different from 3D in that changing the location of the piece would dramatically change the work.
New Media – Entries that are created using a wide range of emerging digital art technologies. This can include but is not limited to animation, VR/AR, projection mapping, visual data analysis and display, video games, and generative art practices (as tools to produce and display artworks). Note: ArtPrize only recognizes humans as artists and designers eligible to receive prizes (but acknowledges that humans need creative tools).
+Design – Entries that are physical expressions of purpose with the intent to impact the way life is experienced. +Design entries may belong to any of design disciplines including fashion design, furniture design, automotive design, architecture, urban design, industrial design, etc.
A variety of grants are offered to artists (and venues) who are intended to bring a dynamic and diverse range of art and design to ArtPrize. These grants are highly competitive and look to support talented local, regional, and international artists and designers of all disciplines.
For more information and grants and awards, visit the link below.
Where does the prize money come from?
ArtPrize is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We fundraise year-round to cover our entire operating budget, including the prizes awarded and the dollars distributed in grants to artists, curators, and educators. The largest source of contributions is corporate giving, followed by foundations, individuals, and government grants.
How does voting work?
Anyone 13 years or older and present at the event (at least once!) can vote in ArtPrize.
Your first vote must be cast within the ArtPrize District via the ArtPrize mobile webapp or at the dedicated on-site voting location. Voting must be done via smartphone/mobile device.
Vote by scanning the QR code associated with each entry or by manually entering the five-digit code (by searching and selecting the entry code within the voting webapp).
More details and information regarding the voting process will be available soon.
How do I support ArtPrize?
We're so glad you asked! ArtPrize is what it is today thanks to its community of supporters. For the past fifteen years, we've worked with incredible folks from all walks of life. There are many ways to join us in supporting artists and ensuring ArtPrize remains a platform for the community to celebrate. Learn more by visiting our Support page.
