From Curation to Competition to Celebration: A Look at The Artistic Legacy of ArtPrize 2025 (01-03-26)

ArtPrize 2025 has officially wrapped, leaving a lasting impression throughout downtown Grand Rapids. 
In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes back Catlin Whitington, Executive Director of ArtPrize, to reflect on the success of this year’s international art competition and its evolving role in our community.

Inside This Episode, we discuss:
Celebrating the Winners: We discuss the $100,000 Grand Prize winner who captivated both the public voters and the juried art judges.

Public Vote Winner: Mark Lewanski’s stunning installation, Arras.

Juried Award Winner: Scraps, an evocative textile installation by the artistic duo Second Vibess (Camille Steverson and Kaitlynn Fitzpatrick).

The Evolution of ArtPrize: Catlin shares how the event has matured, becoming a more decentralized, global stage for art, and still maintaining the accessibility factor for artists from all walks of life.

The crowds are back: ArtPrize 2025 saw crowds that were more in line with the pre-COVID numbers that the event had drawn before.
 
Digital Engagement: A look at how the public interacted with the art this year through QR codes and the impact of digital voting on the visitor experience.

Economic & Cultural Impact: Beyond the galleries and venues, we explore what ArtPrize means for West Michigan’s economy and how it continues to shape Grand Rapids' identity on a global scale. Catlin shared that the economic impact of ArtPrize for 2025 exceeded $80 million.

ArtPrize Runs On Donor Support: donations keep this world-class event free and accessible to all. Donations also help provide $200,000 in grants to artists, as well as access for thousands of Michigan students experiencing ArtPrize this year. Make a secure donation to ArtPrize here.


ArtPrize 2026 planning is underway. The next event is September 17 through October 3, 2026.

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