When ArtPrize returns in 2022, it will resume its regular annual schedule rather than the temporary biennial structure.
In place of a contest in 2019, Project 1 was a public art exhibition hosted by ArtPrize. Due to the pandemic, ArtPrize was discontinued in 2020 and its future was questionable. However, the competition is back this year with a new method for awarding money to artists and selecting the winner of the top prize. The ArtPrize staff is considering the specific rules governing the 2022 competition.
West Michigan residents are urged to support the enormous art competition that will take over Grand Rapids' downtown. ArtPrize stated that it hopes to raise $15,000 on Giving Tuesday to help the fall edition of ArtPrize. Many people might not be aware that ArtPrize is a nonprofit organization. The ArtPrize group generates around $20 for every $1 invested in the West Michigan community.
Whether people can give $10 or $10,000, the contribution will help ArtPrize accomplish its goal of creating citywide contemporary art experiences that inspire critical conversation, recognize artists, alter urban space, and advance cultural awareness.
Craig Searer, the organization's leader since 2021, said that over 500,000 people attended the competition last year, according to projections. The festival, which took place at 144 sites throughout Grand Rapids from September 16 to October 3, attracted 2,500 students, 171 volunteers, and 877 artist submissions.
The dates for ArtPrize 2022 are September 15–October 2. Different artists exhibit their work throughout the city during the open art competition, which initially appeared in 2009. According to Searer, the decision to revive ArtPrize in 2022 was "a super easy decision for the board and the team." He praised ArtPrize 2021, saying, "It was successful." A lot of local businesses were recognized. The festival featured a massive number of musicians and nearly 200 artists received the jackpot.
ArtPrize was held for the first time last year since 2018. The event will now take place every other year rather than annually. The COVID-19 epidemic forced the event's cancellation, which was supposed to occur again in 2020. The choice to hold ArtPrize every other year was chosen to maintain the event's innovative and cutting-edge style, according to former ArtPrize Executive Director Jori Bennett and ArtPrize Founder and Board Chairmen Rick DeVos 2018.
They claimed that the ArtPrize group would organize a scaled-back public art event without any rewards or polling during the years when the ArtPrize event wasn't held. Project 1 was the first event of its kind, and it took place in 2019. According to Searer, project 1 was "a terrific attempt," but the ArtPrize group has no plans to hold a similar event in the future. We took a lot away from it, he remarked. Moving ahead, you'll observe that we'll continue with our present form, which includes many artists, venues, and a scattering of immersive art. Searer's claimed that because the earlier model included more artwork and artists and was dispersed throughout the city in different spots, tourists had a significantly better experience. In Project 1 only Five artists were represented, which had a considerably smaller urban presence.
One of ArtPrize's major donors, the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority, expressed its happiness that the competition will be returning this fall to the annual schedule. The organization provided $50,000 to ArtPrize 2021. Rick Winn, chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, stated, "It's a terrific thing, and it always has been. We're delighted it returned."