ArtPrize
ArtPrize is an art competition and festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Anyone over the age of 18 can display their art, and any space within the three-square-mile ArtPrize district can be a venue. There are typically over 160 venues such as museums, galleries, bars, restaurants, hotels, public parks, bridges, laundromats, auto body shops, and more.
ArtPrize lasts for 19 days beginning in late September, and during each festival $500,000 in cash prizes are awarded based on public voting and a jury of art experts.
ArtPrize was created in 2009 by Rick DeVos, the son of Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos and United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The DeVos family contributes approximately $560,000 annually to the ArtPrize budget. In 2017, the festival's connection to the DeVos family's wealth and their conservative politics was criticized by artist Eric Millikin in his “Made of Money” installation, placed within ArtPrize.
In 2014, The Art Newspaper listed ArtPrize as one of the most-attended big ticket art events (those where visitors are often counted more than once), with ArtPrize's attendance of 440,000 being roughly one quarter of the 1.6 million who attended the Russian Imperial Costume exhibition at the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. ArtPrize was highlighted along with Slows Bar BQ and the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as one of the reasons to visit Grand Rapids in The New York Times’ 52 Places To Go in 2016.
In 2018, ArtPrize announced the Project exhibition to showcase larger works and planned to hold ArtPrize every other year, though the Project 1 event in 2019 experienced substantially less visitors. The twelfth ArtPrize was postponed in 2020 with officials citing the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 event ran from September 15 to October 2, 2022, with many visitors criticizing the smaller scale of works present.
== Concept ==ArtPrize was conceived by Rick DeVos as an untraditional art contest with its goals being: any artist in the world could compete; anyone with property in downtown Grand Rapids could turn their space into a venue; and any visitor could vote for their favorite artwork. Event organizers would provide no selection committees or curators. And the largest cash prize in the art world would be awarded entirely by popular vote.
At the inaugural ArtPrize, held in 2009, the winners were determined solely by the public, voting from mobile devices and the ArtPrize website.  In 2010, ArtPrize added categories judged by art experts, and in 2014 restructured the awards format bringing two parallel tracks of public vote and juried awards with equal prize amounts. The updated award structure includes two Grand Prizes of $200,000, one chosen by public vote and one selected by a panel of three arts experts. An additional $100,000 in awards are given to artists in four entry categories—Two-Dimensional, Three-Dimensional, Time-Based, and Installation—as well as the Outstanding Venue Juried Award for best curatorial presentation.
Visitors must attend the annual event in person in order to vote. They can either download the ArtPrize mobile app, free for iOS and Android devices, which uses location services to determine when a visitor has stepped into the three square-mile event district—or visit an ArtPrize HUB location to register in person. Each artist is assigned a 5-digit vote code which is posted near their entry during the event, and available both online and in the mobile app.
== 2009 competition ==
The 2009 exhibition occurred in a 3-square-mile (7.8 km2) area of downtown Grand Rapids, from September 21 to October 9, 2009. 1,262 artists or artist collaboratives displayed their work in 159 venues. An estimated 200,000 attendees visited the event, with 334,219 total votes cast throughout the 19 days.
=== Participation ===
ArtPrize 2009 official participation numbers:
1,262 artist entries
159 venues
37,264 registered voters
334,219 total votes cast
200,000 (est.) visitors to Grand Rapids, Michigan
=== Public Vote Awards ===
The 2009 prizes, totaling to $449,000, were:1st place: $250,000
2nd: $100,000
3rd: $50,000
4th through 10th: $7,000 each
==== Public Vote Top 10 ====
On October 1, the top 10 entries were announced, and their ranking was announced October 8:Open Water no.24 – Ran Ortner (displayed at The Old Federal Building)
Imagine That! – Tracy Van Duinen (displayed at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum)
Portraits – Eric Daigh (displayed at The Old Federal Building)
The Grand Dance – David Lubbers (displayed on the Grand River near the Blue Bridge)
Moose – Bill Secunda (displayed at The B.O.B.)
Nessie on the Grand – The Nessie Project (displayed on the Grand River near the Blue Bridge)
Field of Reeds – John Douglas Powers (displayed at The Old Federal Building)
The Furniture City Sets the Table for the World of Art – Sarah Grant (displayed on the Blue Bridge)
Ecstasy of The Scarlet Empress – Jason Hackenwerth (displayed at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA))
winddancer 2 – Michael Westra (displayed on the Blue Bridge)
=== Surprise Awards ===
Two previously unannounced awards were handed out:Curators Choice Award ($5000): salt & earth – Young Kim, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Sustainability Award ($2500): The Image Mill: Sustainable Cinema #1 by Scott Hessels
== 2010 competition ==
The 2010 event took place from September 22 to October 10. The event introduced Exhibition Centers, local cultural institutions featuring professional curation. Each ArtPrize Exhibition Center was required to host voter registration/activation as well as a retail presence. ArtPrize sought to have at least one Exhibition Center in each downtown Grand Rapids neighborhood.
=== Participation ===ArtPrize 2010 official participation numbers:1,713 artist entries
193 venues
21 countries and 44 U.S. states
44,912 registered voters
465,538 votes cast
250,000 (est.) visitors to Grand Rapids, Michigan
=== Public Vote Awards ===
The 2010 prizes, which were decided by public vote, totaled $449,000, were:1st place: $250,000
2nd: $100,000
3rd: $50,000
4th through 10th: $7,000 each
==== Public Vote Top 10 ====
On September 30, the 2010 Top 10 entries were announced, and their rankings were revealed during the Winners Announcement on October 7:Cavalry, American Officers, 1921 – Chris LaPorte, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Svelata – Mia Tavonatti, Santa Ana, California
Lure/Wave, Grand Rapids – Beili Liu, Austin, Texas
A Matter Of Time – Paul Baliker, Palm Coast, Florida
Vision – David Spriggs, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Helping mom one penny at a time – Wander Martich, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dancing With Lions – Bill Secunda, Butler, Pennsylvania
salt & earth (garden for Patricia) – Young Kim, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
SteamPig – The Steam Pig Experiment Birks, Jensen, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Elephant Walk – Fredrick Prescott, Santa Fe, New Mexico
=== Juried Awards ===
Event organizers announced the addition of four juried awards for ArtPrize 2010. Event organizers noted that, depending on sponsor availability, more juried awards might be added to the program.
==== Categories and winners ====
Two-Dimensional: Garden Party, Chez Hatfield – Andrew Lewis Doak and Adrian Clark Hatfield, Royal Oak, Michigan
Three-Dimensional: XLoungeSeries – Mark Wentzel, Atlanta, Georgia
Time/Performance: The Jettisoned – Yoni Goldstein, Chicago, Illinois
Urban Space: Plan B – Rick and Rose Beerhorst, Andre Beaumont and Mike Hoyte, Grand Rapids, Michigan
International: Evaporative Buildings – Alex Schweder La, Berlin, Germany / New York, New York
Sustainability: A Matter Of Time – Paul Baliker, Palm Coast, Florida
==== Jurors ====
== 2011 competition ==
The 2011 event ran from September 21 to October 9. The biggest change to the competition was  the addition of an exhibition center dedicated to performance art—St. Cecilia Music Society. The organization was also the recipient of a $100,000 Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
=== Participation ===ArtPrize 2011 official participation numbers:1,582  artist entries
164 venues
39 countries and 43 U.S. states
38,811 registered voters
383,106 votes placed
322,000 visitors to Grand Rapids, Michigan
=== Public Vote Awards ===
The 2011 prizes, which were decided by public vote, totaled $449,000, were:1st place: $250,000
2nd: $100,000
3rd: $50,000
4th through 10th: $7,000 each
==== Public Vote Top 10 ====
On September 30, the 2010 Top 10 entries were announced, and their rankings were revealed during the Winners Announcement on October 6:Crucifixion – Mia Tavonatti, Santa Ana, California
The Metaphorist Project – Tracy Van Duinen, Chicago, Illinois
Rain – Lynda Cole, Ann Arbor, Michigan
President Gerald Ford Visits ArtPrize – Sunti Pichetchaiyakul, Thailand and Montana
Rusty: A Sense of Direction/Self Portrait – Ritch Branstrom, Rapid River, Michigan
Grizzlies on the Ford – Llew “Doc” Tilma, Wayland, Michigan
The Tempest II – Laura Alexander, Columbus, Ohio
Ocean Exodus – Paul Baliker, Palm Coast, Florida
Under Construction – Robert Shangle, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mantis Dreaming – Bill Secunda, Butler, Pennsylvania
=== Juried Awards ===
In addition to awards distributed as a result of a public vote, the organization distributed seven juried awards for ArtPrize 2011. An award dedicated to an outstanding venue was added in 2011. Each juried award winner received $7,000.
==== Categories and winners ====
Two-Dimensional: One Ordinary Day of an Ordinary Town – Mimi Kato, St. Louis, Missouri
Three-Dimensional: Nature Preserve – Michelle Brody, New York, New York
Time/Performance: Remember:Replay:Repeat – Caroline Young, Chicago, Illinois
Urban Space: Salvaged Landscape – Catie Newell, Detroit, Michigan
International: DISAPPEARANCES – an eternal journey – Shinji Turner-Yamamoto, Cincinnati, Ohio
Venue: SiTE:LAB – Curator: Paul Amenta, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Sustainability: Walking Home: stories from the desert to the Great Lakes – Laura Milkins, Tucson, Arizona
Ox-Bow Residency: Progressive Movement(s) – Evertt Beidler, Portland, Oregon
==== Jurors ====
== 2012 competition ==
The 2012 ArtPrize competition ran from September 19 to October 7. The event introduced new changes to the ArtPrize Juried Awards program, including category prizes valued at $20,000 (up from $7,000) and a first-ever $100,000 Juried Grand Prize, decided by panel of three art experts.
=== Participation ===
ArtPrize 2012 official participation numbers:1,517 artist entries
161 venues
46 countries 41 U.S. states and territories
47,160 voters
412,560 votes placed
375,000 (est.) visitors to Grand Rapids in 19 days
=== Public Vote Awards ===
The 2012 prizes, which were decided by public vote, totaled $360,000, were:1st place: $200,000
2nd: $75,000
3rd: $50,000
4th through 10th: $5,000 each
==== Public Vote Top 10 ====
The top 10 entries were determined by a record 412,560 votes, and announced on October 10.Elephants – Adonna Khare, Burbank, Calif.
Song of Lift – Martijn van Wagtendonk, Colbert, Ga.
Rebirth of Spring – Frits Hoendervanger, Detroit, Mich.
Stick-to-it-ive-ness: Unwavering pertinacity; perseverance – Richard Morse, Fennville, Mich.
Lights in the Night – Mark Carpenter and Dan Johnson, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Life in Wood – Dan Heffron, Traverse City, Mich.
Origami – Kumi Yamashita, Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Chase – Artistry of Wildlife, Marlette, Mich.
Return to Eden – Sandra Bryant, Lynden, Wa.
City Band – Chris LaPorte, Grand Rapids, Mich.
=== Juried Awards ===
In addition to awards distributed as a result of a public vote, the organization distributed seven juried awards, totaling $200,000, during ArtPrize 2012 in five categories and a juried grand prize. Each category winner received $20,000. The Juried Grand Prize winner was awarded $100,000. The award was decided by a three-member jury panel.
==== Juried Grand Prize winner ====
Displacement (13208 Klinger St.) – Design 99, Detroit, Mich
==== Category Award winners ====
Two-Dimensional: Habitat – Alois Kronschlaeger, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Three-Dimensional: More or Less – ABCD 83, Chicago, Ill.
Time/Performance: Three Phases – Complex Movements, Detroit, Mich.
Urban Space: Flight – Dale Rogers, Haverhill, Ma.
Venue: SiTE:LAB – Curator: Paul Amenta, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Ox-Bow Residency: Collective Cover Project – Ann Morton, Phoenix, Ariz.
==== Jurors ====
== 2013 competition ==
The 2013 ArtPrize competition ran from September 18 to October 6.
=== Participation ===
ArtPrize 2013 official participation numbers:1,805 artist entries
169 venues
47 countries and 45 U.S. states and territories
49,000 voters
446,850 votes cast
400,000 (est.) visitors to Grand Rapids, Michigan
=== Public Vote Awards ===
The 2013 prizes, which were decided by public vote, totaled $360,000, were:1st place: $200,000
2nd: $75,000
3rd: $50,000
4th through 10th: $5,000 each
==== Public Vote Top 10 ====
The top 10 entries were determined by a record 446,850 votes, and announced on October 4.Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore – Ann Loveless, Frankfort, Mich.
Polar Expressed – Anni Crouter, Flint, Mich.
UPlifting – Andy Sacksteder, Port Clinton, Ohio
Dancing With Mother Nature – Paul Baliker, Palm Coast, Fla.
Botanical Exotica a Monumental Collection of the Rare beautiful – Jason Gamrath, Seattle, Wash.
Earth Giant –  Benjamin Gazsi, Morgantown, W.V.
Myth-or-Logic – Robin Protz, New Hartford, Conn.
Finding Beauty in Bad Things: Porcelain Vine – Fraser Smith, St Pete Beach, Fla.
Taking Flight – Michael Gard, San Francisco, Calif.
Tired Pandas – Nick Jakubiak, Battle Creek, Mich.
=== Juried awards ===
In addition to awards distributed as a result of a public vote, the organization distributed seven juried awards, totaling $200,000, during ArtPrize 2013 in five categories and a juried grand prize. Each category winner received $20,000. The Juried Grand Prize winner was awarded $100,000. The award was decided by a three-member jury panel.
==== Juried Grand Prize winner ====
Ecosystem – Carlos Bunga, Barcelona, Spain
==== Category Winners ====
Two-Dimensional: Europa and the Flying Fish – Kyle Staver, New York, N.Y.
Three-Dimensional: Through the Skies for You – Kevin Cooley / Phillip Andrew Lewis, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Time/Performance: The Last Post – Shahzia Sikander, New York, N.Y.
Urban Space: united.states : an everydaypeople project – J.D. Urban, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Venue: The Fed Galleries @ KCAD, Kendall College of Art and Design – Curator: Michele Bosak, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Ox-Bow Residency: Erase – Greg Bokor, Beverly, Mass.
==== Jurors ====
=== Controversy ===
David Dodde's Fleurs et riviere was an entry that placed magnetic flowers on the Alexander Calder sculpture La Grande Vitesse. After getting complaints, the City of Grand Rapids contacted the Calder Foundation to get their input. Calder's grandson, Alexander S. C. Rower, replied: The initiative is luckily temporary and reflects an utter lack of understanding and respect of Calder's genius. The city decided to have the flowers removed before the end of the exhibition.
== 2014 competition ==
The 2014 ArtPrize competition ran from September 24 to October 12.
=== Participation ===
ArtPrize 2014 official participation numbers:1,536 artist entries
174 venues
41,956 voters
398,714 votes placed
441,000+ (est.) visitors to Grand Rapids, Michigan
=== Public Vote Awards ===
The public vote determined three $20,000 category winners and a $200,000 grand prize winner. The grand prize winner does not receive $20,000 for their category win.
==== Public Vote Grand Prize winner ====
Intersections – Anila Quayyum Agha, Indianapolis, Indiana
==== Category Award winners ====
Two-Dimensional: Outcry – Gretchyn Lauer, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Three-Dimensional: Reciprocity – Marc Sijan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Time-Based: Your Move? – Robert Shangle, Sparta, Michigan
Installation: Intersections – Anila Quayyum Agha, Indianapolis, Indiana
=== Juried Awards ===
The jury awarded five $20,000 category winners and a $200,000 grand prize winner. There was a tie for the grand prize, so each winner received $100,000.
==== Juried Grand Prize winners ====
A first in ArtPrize history, the Grand Prize Jury recognized two outstanding works—splitting the $200,000 Juried Grand Prize.Intersections – Anila Quayyum Agha, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Hair Craft Project – Sonya Clark, Richmond, Virginia
This is also the first time the opinions of both the voting public and the jury of art experts converged, awarding a top prize to one piece – Intersections by Anila Quayyum Agha.
==== Category Award winners ====
Two-Dimensional: The Hair Craft Project – Sonya Clark, Richmond, Virginia
Three-Dimensional: Tengo Hambre – Maximo Gonzalez, Mexico City, Mexico
Time-Based: respirador (breather) – Dance in the Annex, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Installation: Symptomatic Constant – Julie Schenkelberg, Brooklyn, New York
Outstanding venue: SiTE:LAB @ The Morton, – Curator: Paul Amenta, Grand Rapids, Michigan
==== Jurors ====
== 2015 competition ==
The 2015 ArtPrize (also known as ArtPrize Seven) competition ran from September 23 to October 11.
=== Participation ===
ArtPrize 2015 official participation numbers:1,649 artist entries
162 venues
35,481 registered voters
422,763 votes cast
438,000+ (est.) visitors to Grand Rapids, Michigan
=== Public Vote Awards ===
The public vote determined three $12,500 category winners and a $200,000 grand prize winner. The grand prize winner does not receive $12,500 for their category win.
==== Public Vote Grand Prize winner ====
Northwood Awakening – Loveless Photofiber, Frankfort, Michigan
==== Category Award winners ====
Two-Dimensional: Northwood Awakening – Loveless Photofiber, Frankfort, Michigan
Three-Dimensional: Greatest Generation/Beta Team/November – Fred Cogelow, Wilmar, Minnesota
Time-Based: Whisper – Emily Kennerk, Zionsville, Indiana
Installation: REACH and SPLASH – Andy Sacksteder, Gladstone, Michigan
=== Juried Awards ===
The jury awarded five $12,500 category winners and a $200,000 grand prize winner.
==== Juried Grand Prize winner ====
Higher Ground – Kate Gilmore, Queens, New York
==== Category Award winners ====
The category winners were:Two-Dimensional: The Fearless Brother Project Presents – Monroe O'Bryant, Kentwood, Michigan
Three-Dimensional: The Last Supper – Julie Green, Corvallis, Oregon
Time-Based: That Was Then – Prince Thomas,  Houston, Texas
Installation: In Our Element – Ruben Ubiera, Miami, Florida
Outstanding venue: SiTE:LAB @ The Rumsey Street Project, – Curator: Paul Amenta, Grand Rapids, Michigan
==== Jurors ====
The jurors were:
== 2016 Competition ==
The 2016 ArtPrize competition, also known as ArtPrize Eight, took place from September 21 to October 9.
=== Participation ===
1,453 artist entries
170 venues
37,433 registered voters
380,119 votes cast
507,000+ (est.) visitors to Grand Rapids, Michigan
=== Public Vote Awards ===
The public vote determined three $12,500 category winners and a $200,000 grand prize winner. The grand prize winner does not receive $12,500 for their category win.
==== Public Vote Grand Prize Winner ====
Wounded Warrior Dogs – James Mellick, Milford Center, Ohio
==== Category Award Winners ====
Two-Dimensional: Portraits of Light and Shadow - Joao Paulo Goncalves, Pompano Beach, Florida
Three-Dimensional: Wounded Warrior Dogs - James Mellick, Milford Center, Ohio
Installation: The Butterfly Effect - Allison Leigh Smith and Bryce Pettit, Durango, Colorado
Time-Based: Sweeper's Clock - Maarten Baas, Den Bosch, North Brabant, Netherlands
=== Juried Awards ===
The jury awarded five $12,500 category winners and a $200,000 grand prize winner.
==== Juried Grand Prize Winner ====
The Bureau of Personal Belonging – Stacey Kirby, Durham, North Carolina
==== Category Award Winners ====
Two-Dimensional: les bêtes - Isaac Aoki, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Three-Dimensional: Excavations - William Lamson, New York, New York
Installation: This Space is Not Abandoned - 912 CollABORATIVE, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Time-Based: Search Engine Vision “ISIS” - Eric Souther, Mishawaka, Indiana
Outstanding Venue: Split between EVERYTHING IS TRANSFORMED, SiTE:LAB / Rumsey St. Project and This Space is Not Abandoned, 912 Grandville Avenue.
==== Jurors ====
The ArtPrize Eight jurors included:
== 2017 Competition ==
The 2017 ArtPrize competition, also known as ArtPrize Nine, took place from September 20 to October 8.
=== Participation ===
1,346 artist entries
175 venues
43,010 registered voters
384,053 votes cast
522,000+ (est.) visitors to Grand Rapids, Michigan
=== Public Vote Awards ===
The public vote determined three $12,500 category winners and a $200,000 grand prize winner. The grand prize winner does not receive $12,500 for their category win.
==== Public Vote Grand Prize Winner ====
A. Lincoln – Richard Schlatter, Battle Creek, Michigan
==== Category Award Winners ====
Two-Dimensional: A. Lincoln - Richard Schlatter, Battle Creek, Michigan
Three-Dimensional: Lux Maximus Fused Glass, Copper, Bronze and Metal - Daniel Oropeza, Costa Mesa, California
Installation: Oil + Water - Ryan Spencer Reed, Ludington, Michigan; Richard App, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Time-Based: Red Dirt Rug Monument - Rena Detrixe, Tulsa, Oklahoma
=== Juried Awards ===
The jury awarded five $12,500 category winners and a $200,000 grand prize winner.
==== Juried Grand Prize Winner ====
The Heartside Community Meal – Seitu Jones, St. Paul, Minnesota
==== Category Award Winners ====
Two-Dimensional: Sofía Draws Every Day: Years 2, 3, and 4 - Sofía Ramírez Hernández, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Three-Dimensional: Flint - Ti-Rock Moore, New Orleans, Louisiana
Installation: Society of 23's Locker Dressing Room - Jeffrey Augustine Songco, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Time-Based: Red Dirt Rug Monument - Rena Detrixhe, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Outstanding Venue: The Fed Galleries @ KCAD, Kendall College of Art and Design – Curator: Michele Bosak, Grand Rapids, Mich.
==== Jurors ====The ArtPrize Nine jurors included:
== 2018 Competition ==
The 2018 ArtPrize competition, also known as ArtPrize 10, ran from September 19 to October 7.
Important Dates
== 2019 Project 1 ==
For 2019, ArtPrize began its Project exhibition series, with Project 1 running from September 7 to October 27. The concept was to alternate between ArtPrize and the Project series every year. While ArtPrize organizers described Project 1 as a success, crowds were much smaller and visitors criticized the event as being less festive. As Project 1 was concluding, the executive director of ArtPrize, Jori Bennett, announced that she would step down.

== External links ==Official Website
ArtPrize on Facebook
ArtPrize on Twitter
ArtPrize on Instagram