ArtPrize's website lists the mission's core for why they are doing what they are doing in Grand Rapids. It's to: "Be a catalyst for collisions and connections between artists and communities, for the sake of infusing vitality and courage into culture. Our mission begins with the value that art is important."
And while many have formed opinions about ArtPrize over the past few years, it is an event that cannot be ignored. Or to paraphrase Howard Zinn, "You can't be neutral (about ArtPrize) on a moving train," especially when you consider how much it not only dominates the physical makeup of our city, but how other events would rather fold than try and compete when this 18-day freight train rolls into town on Sept. 21 and does not pull out until Oct. 9th (unless you are a giant pig anchored to a parking lot -- then, you wait for Google Maps to take your picture before departing).
While ArtPrize is in town, people will bump into each other as they crowd the streets of downtown Grand Rapids in the hopes that their 'thumbs up' vote will make a difference in the few artists' lives who will walk away with a portion of the nearly half million dollars in prize money.
There are plenty of other ArtPrize programming options to consider aside from the voting. One area that gets overlooked each year is actually, in my humble opinion, the very cream of why I enjoy ArtPrize: the speaker series.
Just as in year's past, the producers of ArtPrize go above and beyond, presenting a lecture series where speakers from heads of museums to education centers will be in town to address a variety of topics from urban art spaces to art therapy.
Many of these speakers will be here to present a juror award of excellence, so this is a great place to listen and gain insight into some of the complexities of some artworks often overlooked by the masses.
ArtPrize in year three firmly understands they are conversational, as well as controversial. If you don't believe me, simply look at their poster for this year. Square One Design's 2011 ArtPrize poster design clearly highlights that over the next few weeks, those empty bubbles will be filled with conversation.
With ArtPrize, just like viewing art, no one is neutral.
Admission: Free
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