Your 2025 guide to Grand Rapids ArtPrize
Mark your calendars for ArtPrize 2025, where inspiration, family fun, and creativity await.
It’s September in Michigan, which means one thing to Grand Rapidians (and art enthusiasts throughout the state): ArtPrize is around the corner. Whether you’re a West Michigan local, an annual visitor, or a newcomer to the city-wide celebration, Grand Rapids ArtPrize has so much to offer year after year—and 2025 is no exception.
If you’re not familiar with ArtPrize, the concept is simple: Every fall, international artists and creatives gather in Grand Rapids to display their work citywide and compete for monetary awards. But this isn’t your ordinary art festival. Sure, you’ll see plenty of paintings and more traditional media on display in galleries, but you’ll also meander through immersive exhibits, spot sculptures in public spaces, and even find works that incorporate natural resources.
Since the event’s inaugural year in 2009, festival favorites have included a massive sculpture of the Loch Ness Monster in the Grand River, a portrait of Abraham Lincoln made from over 20,000 pennies, and a mesmerizing display of sand art that took up an entire gallery hall. From photography to performance pieces, there’s a little something for everyone to appreciate at ArtPrize.
What’s more, visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite pieces (most exhibits include QR codes to cast votes) and decide who takes home the “public favorite” title.
To help you prepare for this year’s festival, we’ve broken down the basics, compiled a list of venues, and outlined details of highly anticipated works. ArtPrize 2025, here we come.
ArtPrize 2025 dates to know
ArtPrize 2025 will take place from September 18 to October 4 in Grand Rapids. A complete calendar of events, including numerous educational sessions, community gatherings, and artist meet-and-greets, can be found on the official ArtPrize website. But if you’re just looking for the “big stuff,” here are a few key dates to keep in mind:
Friday, September 19
ArtPrize Opening Celebration, 6:30-10:00 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle, 13 Monroe Center NW
Saturday, September 20
Merchants and Makers Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Monroe Center, Ottawa Ave NW at Monroe
Friday, September 26
HalfTime Show musical event, 7-10 p.m. at 647 Monroe Ave NW
Friday, October 3
ArtPrize Awards Ceremony, 6:30-10 p.m. at Studio Park, 123 Ionia Ave SW
Daily
Throughout the celebration, the ArtPrize Clubhouse will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to serve as a meeting place and “central hub” for volunteers, attendees, and artists.
Visitors are welcome to drop in at 40 Pearl Street NW to enjoy a cup of coffee, get more information about upcoming events, and even attend on-site workshops. If you’re not sure where to start, the Clubhouse is calling your name.
Must-know ArtPrize 2025 venues
Artwork will be on display at dozens of venues in the area, but here are a few top spots:
Grand Rapids Art Museum
101 Monroe Center NW
Known fondly by locals as the GRAM, the Grand Rapids Art Museum is among the most popular and extensive ArtPrize venues every year. Stroll through permanent exhibits and temporary ArtPrize entries alike when you add the museum to your itinerary.
The Blue Bridge
Accessible via Campau Ave NW and Front Ave NW
The Blue Bridge is a Grand Rapids icon, welcoming visitors to the city with its central placement over the rushing Grand River. It’s a wonderful place to stroll and snap a few photos in the fresh air, then check out spectacular outdoor art pieces from entrants.
Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives
87 Monroe Center NW
Celebrate Black culture at the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA), located in the heart of downtown. Alongside ArtPrize entries, you’ll find artifacts and artwork inspired by the local Black community and its cultural impact.
Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy St SE
Situated in charming Eastown, Wealthy Theatre is like a portal to the movie theaters of old. In addition to its eclectic schedule of film screenings, it’s a popular location for live performances and other creative gatherings during ArtPrize season.
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
11 Sheldon Ave NE
ArtPrize is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the whole family, but a whole day of strolling through the city is sure to tire out even the most energetic little ones. Thankfully, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum offers a fun, hands-on pit stop for kids during ArtPrize while offering on-site art for grownups to check out.
Grand Rapids Downtown Market
435 Ionia St SW
Grand Rapids’ Downtown Market is a favorite lunch spot for locals because of its sheer volume and variety—here, you’ll find everything from a fresh seafood counter to ice cream mixed in among artisan booths. During ArtPrize, the 4,900 square-foot space is even more bustling as diners and shoppers admire creative pieces throughout.
ArtPrize 2025 artwork to watch
It would be impossible to highlight all the unique and moving creative pieces making an appearance at ArtPrize 2025, so we’ve simply selected five fascinating works to give you a miniscule taste of what you can expect this year.
A full list of entries is available on the ArtPrize website.
Operation G.R.A.M.: Grannies Raid an Art Museum
By Elijah Haswell
Grand Rapids Art Museum
Elijah Haswell’s massive illustration on the exterior of GRAM depicts folks from all walks of life making their way through an art museum. There are “easter eggs” galore throughout the eight-panel piece, so you’re sure to find something new and humorous every time you walk by.
What’s for Dinner?
By Arrika Wright
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
The whole family will be charmed by Arrika Wright’s soft and colorful pizza blanket, thoughtfully crafted from loops and yard in celebration of “the messy joy of dinnertime.” Check it out when your kids take a break at the Children’s Museum—then grab a slice of pizza when you’re done.
Cranes in Bloom
by Von Ether
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Gaze at a colorful mosaic of one thousand paper cranes, each hand-folded by the artist in an act of meditation on patience and purpose. Cranes in Bloom honors the mythical belief that creating paper cranes will grant wishes and bring propensity to those who persevere. And, if we do say so ourselves, the piece is just plain beautiful.
Have a Seat – Tell a Story
by Peter Falk
Park Church, 10 E Park Pl NE
This entry takes immersive art to a whole new level. In fact, in essence, visitors themselves become the art when they take a seat in one of Peter Falk’s chairs and fulfill their stated purpose of creating meaningful human connection.
Guests are encouraged to tell a story while seated in Falk’s hickory and cedar creations, or to simply strike up a conversation with another visitor. The concept is simple, but its effect holds deep meaning.
Sky by Day, Sky by Night
by Rachel Hayes
The Blue Bridge
We expect to see a lot of selfies under this art piece, and with good reason.
Made from dozens of colorful fabric panels sewn together, Rachel Hayes’ work is strung across the bridge like a vibrant ceiling and casts a rainbow of light and shadows onto passersby. We love how it incorporates natural elements like wind and sun to create something inspiring and immersive.
Other Grand Rapids ArtPrize 2025 FAQ
Does ArtPrize cost money?
ArtPrize is a nonprofit organization that values art accessibility, so venues are free and open to the public during festival dates. Of course, any additional purchases made at restaurants or commerce venues are your responsibility, but looking at the art won’t cost you a dime.
Where can I park?
Many ArtPrize venues are located throughout downtown Grand Rapids, where you’ll find several parking garages, pay-per-hour lots, and paid street parking. In other parts of the city (Eastown or Heritage Hill, for example), free street parking and parking lots are often available.
How can I submit my artwork for next year?
Want to submit a painting, photo, installation, digital piece, or other creative for ArtPrize 2026? The festival welcomes submissions from across the globe. Check out the Artist FAQ section on the ArtPrize website for guidelines and details.
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