GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — ArtPrize is only a few weeks away, and those in charge hope to top last year's number of almost a million visitors.
The two-week art contest starts on Sept. 16 and has been in the planning process since the end of last year's ArtPrize.
In previous years, you would vote for artists in different rounds of voting, however this year, they've done away with that system in an effort to keep more people involved throughout the two weeks.
Now you'll be able to vote for artists all the way until the end of voting.
There are also plans to bring in large-scale art installations, with a special piece coming from Canada.
ArtPrize drew one of its largest crowds last year, with about 700,000 people coming to Grand Rapids for the festival.
Executive Director Catlin Whitington said they're also bringing in a new category this year that will focus on furniture, fashion and industrial design.
Organizers hope that all of these new and improved ideas will keep growth increasing for years to come.
"What we're trying to do is create a really fun, exciting, vibrant urban core and urban environment for those that that live here and those that don't live here, to come out, discover, rediscover downtown Grand Rapids, to come out and explore with us, and continuing to tell those stories is really important to us," said Whitington. "So that's how we'll continue to engage after the event."
This year, ArtPrize will feature over 950 artists at over 170 venues throughout the area.
One of those venues is the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Year after year, the Ford Museum has been host to hundreds of entries including sculptures, paintings, photography and more.
This year, the Ford museum will have 37 artists, both inside and outside. Last year, they even hosted an ArtPrize winner, something they hope to repeat this year.
We spoke with Joel Westphal, the Deputy Director of the Gerald R Ford Presidential Library and Museum. He told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that being an ArtPrize venue actually represents the spirit that the former president had for his community.
During ArtPrize, the Ford Museum will also have its tempo.
"Whether it's the museum itself or the National Archives, takes pride in the reaching out to the local community and being part of the local community, wherever we are," said Westphal. "So that's very important to us, to make sure that the local community knows that we're here and what we do. Our nonpartisanship with regard to the community, and we love ArtPrize, because it brings people into the museum. Maybe they'll stop and see the art, and maybe they'll go take a look at what we have upstairs."
During Art Prize, the Ford Museum will also have their temporary Ford at 50 exhibit up, celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the Gerald R. Ford Presidency.
Art Prize will kick off on Sept. 13 and will run through Sept. 28.