All Good Things Come To An End: ArtPrize Says Goodbye After 13 Years

They say all good things come to an end and in the case of Artprize that time has come. A groundbreaking Art Competition launched in Grand Rapids 13 years ago shared the news in a press release.

Artprize Calls It Quit After 13 Years

"What started as an experiment in 2009 quickly became something more, and we have an entire community to thank for embracing the ArtPrize idea and taking it to amazing heights, Together, we were able to stimulate thought and creativity by celebrating art, supporting artists, exploring familiar and not-so-familiar venues, and starting entirely new conversations." - ArtPrize Founder and Chairman Rick DeVos.

 

Artprize Became A Destination Event For People Around Michigan And The World

Over the past thirteen years, ArtPrize became a destination event for people in West Michigan and around the world. While I have no artistic ability, I really enjoyed ArtPrize because it exposed me to so many cool things I could have never imagined. My Grandma heard about Artprize and drove up from Ohio to check it out with me and was blown away by what she saw.

“Every destination community has a destination event that captures the spirit and aspirations of that community. For us, ArtPrize has been a manifestation of the independent creative spirit that defines Grand Rapids, and has captured the imagination of people from around the world, Rick DeVos and the ArtPrize Board have laid out a roadmap and a foundation that we’re grateful for, and excited to build upon.” - Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss

 

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What's Going To Happen Now That ArtPrize Is Done?

According to Mlive, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), the city of Grand Rapids, and Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) of Ferris State University will now collectively lead this new initiative. While ArtPrize as we know it is calling it quits, the organization said in a news release that it's making

a catalytic gift of its creative, technological, and communications platforms to a new partnership for a new experiment that will build upon the legacy of the international art competition, effectively 'ArtPrize 2.0.

How Much Money Was Given Out During ArtPrize?

Over the thirteen events since 2009 ArtPrize awarded more than $6 million through a combination of public votes, juried awards, and grants.

These Are All The Winners From ArtPrize Over The Years

Take a look back at some of these amazing winners from past ArtPrize competitions.

ArtPrize 2009 Public Vote - Open Water no.24 by Ran Ortner

ArtPrize 2010 Public Vote - Cavalry, American Officers, 1921 by Chris LaPorte

ArtPrize 2011 Public Vote - Crucifixion by Mia Tavonatti

ArtPrize 2012 Public Vote  - Elephants by Adonna Khare

ArtPrize 2013 Public Vote - Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore by Ann Loveless

ArtPrize 2014 Public Vote - Intersections by Anila Quayyum Agha

ArtPrize 2015 Public Vote - Northwood Awakening  by Steven & Ann Loveless

ArtPrize 2016 Public Vote - Wounded Warrior Dogs by James Mellick

ArtPrize 2017 Public Vote - A. Lincoln by Richard Schlatter

ArtPrize 2018 Public Vote - The String Project by Chelsea Nix & Mariano Cortez

ArtPrize 2019 - Took a break / No competition this year

ArtPrize 2020 - The event was canceled because of the COVID-19 Pandemic

ArtPrize 2021 Public Vote - Before You Go by Christian Reichle & Monica Pritchard

In my opinion, while it might not be on the same national stage as ArtPrize, the Freemont Harvest Festival Hay Art is still pretty cool.