News

Grand Rapids proved to be ideal for NASAA Assembly 2016

By Suzanne Lynch, Director of Marketing and Development –

ArtPrize EightThe National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) Assembly 2016 was held in Michigan’s west side in the community of Grand Rapids, known as the home of ArtPrize since 2009.

ArtPrize was conceived as a disruption of the traditional top-down art contest. 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 (a total of $500,000) in the art world would be awarded entirely by popular vote.

It was a bold experiment, and it worked. Beginning September 21 through October 9, ArtPrize Eight will feature 1,453 artist entries representing 44 countries and 40 U.S. states. As the largest art competition in the world, it expects 438,000+ visitors.

During a briefing session at NASAA on Thursday, September 15, ArtPrize Executive Director Christian Gaines discussed the in-and-outs of the festival and its unique approach to civic engagement and economic impact. Gaines noted that the majority of the artists who submit work to ArtPrize are not in it for the cash prize, but for the exposure to the hundreds of thousands of visitors from all around the world.

Grand Rapids has not only gained significant economic benefits from the festival, it has been transformed into a city brimming with art. From the remaining murals and installations to the purchases made by community organizations and businesses, it is hard not to see something reflective of the festival on every street in the downtown area. Coupled with the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Kendall College of Art and Design, the city buzzes with creativity—and that most definitely helped NASAA participants feel right at home.

Congratulations and thank you to NASAA and the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs for hosting a wonderful assembly.

#nasaaGR