Tips for Exploring Art Prize in Grand Rapids
Art Prize is one of the biggest art events in West Michigan, probably even the Midwest. It is an International competition with over 900 pieces from all over the world! There are also many media types: painting, sculptures, guest involved installations, photography, digital media, and more! It is an amazing event and way to experience art at this FREE event! Check out our tips for experiencing this event.
Check the calendar of events
Before you head into town, check out the events on the ArtPrize website to see what is happening. This could help determine when you want to be in town and where you would like to go. There are a bunch of events like seminars, markets, performances, and more! Some of the top events include the opening and closing ceremonies as well as different performances throughout the weeks.
Build your map
A map is going to be your best friend. The city is divided into 5 different sectors where you can see entries. Entries are scattered between indoor and outdoor venues. There are multiple ways to get a map or even create a map of the destinations you want to see. You can visit the ArtPrize Hub for a printed map. There are also two other great resources for maps. The City of Grand Rapids has created walking maps for each sector with different length walks and paths you can take. Hey Michigan has a really cool feature where you pick what pieces you want to see and they will create a map for you with all of those pieces on it!
Don’t forget about good food
Grand Rapids has an amazing food scene! Whether you want a quick bite to eat, sit in a brewery for a bit, or a grab a sweet treat, Grand Rapids has you covered! There is every type of food imaginable in Grand Rapids whether it is a chain or a stand-alone restaurant. One of our favorite resources is Experience GR, and they have a whole section to help you find the best restaurant stop while you’re in town.
Parking Tips
Parking can be a bit tricky in Grand Rapids. It is fairly limited and pretty much all of it paid. There are shuttle busses in the area that can get you closer to where you want to be if you park outside of the downtown area. Street parking is limited to 2 hours so if you need more time, it is best to park in a parking garage or an accessory lot and shuttle in. There are also many ways to get around besides bus. There are electric bikes and scooters that can be rented as well for a fun way to enjoy the event. Just be sure to follow the rules. The City of Grand Rapids’ website has a bunch of resources for all of this.
However you choose to enjoy Art Prize, we hope you get out and enjoy it! It is a special time in Grand Rapids and it is always amazing to see what people make. Some of it will leave you awestruck, some of it might make you think, and some of it might not be your taste, but you will have spent a little more time exploring our amazing city!
