ArtPrize hooks international attention

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Grand Rapids Children's Museum is one of 168 places where artists will display their work for 18 days beginning in late September. By Friday afternoon, 1700 artists registered, and 1100 signed up to display their work.

Saturday is the deadline for artists to match up with venues, and organizers say the response has been phenomenal. Almost every state is represented, along with international locales like Paris, London, Iran and South Korea.

"I think everyone sees this as an opportunity for the area not only to showcase local talent but what a great place Grand Rapids is and the entrepreneureal spirit," said ArtPrize's Bill Holsinger-Robinson, "and I think that's why so many people were willing to make the investment."

Bringing huge works of art to a city can be a huge undertaking and expense.

"We've turned artists as much as we can into entreprenuers," he said. "Maybe it's like you're an artist in Iowa and you have to figure out how to convince my fanbase to be part of this international event in Grand Rapids."

The $250,000 top prize is significant, but Holsinger-Robinson doesn't think it needed to be more to attract even more artists.

"Quite frankly the prize is for the public, so they now their vote matters a lot."

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