In recent months, ArtPrize focused on ways to bring the unforgettable art and ambitious artists that are behind this whole event back to the forefront.
The following suite of grants for 2023 is designed to support a large and diverse cohort of contemporary artists and creatives. We want to help these individuals bring their unique visions so that they can participate in the world’s largest art event that is free and open to the public.
You’ll notice some returning favorites among these ArtPrize opportunities, and this year we’re introducing some new opportunities as well. These were created in response to the growing call to make more space for artists–physically and conversationally.
Grant Opportunities
- The Chris Smit Legacy Grant
- Featured Public Projects (DEADLINE JUNE 19)
- Artist Seed Grants (DEADLINE JUNE 14)
- Motu Viget Grants (DEADLINE JUNE 14)
- Pitch Night Phoenix (DEADLINE JUNE 14)
- City Hall Curator Grant (DEADLINE JUNE 12)
- General Terms for all Grant Applications and Recipients
ArtPrize proudly presents:
The Chris Smit Legacy Grant - New this year!
The inaugural Chris Smit Legacy Grant will be used in 2023 to support a sneak preview of DisArt’s upcoming “Art of Disruption” exhibition featuring work by Black and Disabled artists whose contemporary ways of making unveil the clear and powerful connection between race and disability, highlighting parallel legacies of activism and calls for radical change. The Art of Disruption is a collective of Black and Disabled artists that will activate Grand Rapids this Fall during Artprize with work speaking directly to the unifying themes of protest, disruption, and healing.
DisArt hopes to work with (2) Grand Rapids based Black and/or Disabled artists to assist with the activation of this project. If this is you, please send us a note at grants@artprize.org.
Featured Public Projects
- $20,000 / grantee
- 3 Projects
- Venue: Determined by projects selected in collaboration with the Artist, ArtPrize staff, and area stakeholders.
For the fifth iteration of this program, ArtPrize will provide $20,000 each for three spectacular, large-scale artworks to be showcased at key public sites in the city.
- Calder Plaza
- Blue Bridge
- Rosa Parks Circle
- 555 North Monroe
- Grand River (digital projects only – think AR/VR opportunities!)
Please review the informational packet before applying. Email grants@artprize.org with any additional questions.
Artist Seed Grants
- $2,000 / grantee
- 40 Projects
- Venue: Selected Artists must be connected with a Venue before funding occurs.
Since 2016, these grants have helped numerous artists while also helping us grow a world-class exhibition. ArtPrize is looking forward to supporting the new cohort of Seed Grant Artists who are eager, ready, and willing to share new visions and continue the conversation about the role, power, and importance of art and artists in the world today.
Forty Artists will each receive $2,000 to help fund their most compelling and ambitious projects and to bring their art to the event this fall.
Once registered as an Artist, applicants must then fill out the ArtPrize Artist Seed Grant Application. The application asks three questions, which each require a short answer:
- What makes your project exceptional? These grants are very competitive. What makes your project stand out excellently?
- Provide a concise draft budget and project timeline. How much do you think it will cost? What will you do to accomplish your objectives on time?
- How will you capture engagement and measure the success of your vision?
A Few Things to Keep in Mind:
- Please do not apply for a Seed Grant before completing Artist Registration. ***Please note all artists (even those of you returning!) must create a new account on artprize.org – we made it brand new!
- There is no additional application fee for grants beyond the normal Artist Registration fee of $50 for a solo artist and $100 for a collaborative team.
- Artists must secure a Venue and sign a hosting agreement to receive the grant funds.
Motu Viget Grants New this year!
- $3,000 / grantee
- 5 Projects
- Venue: Artist must be connected with a Venue before funding occurs.
There are countless talented, passionate, and dedicated artists who increasingly help this city thrive throughout the year. In full acknowledgement of that fact, ArtPrize is honored to present the Motu Viget Grants to local artists and creatives who seek funds for their exceptional projects.
Named after the official motto of Grand Rapids and the iconic Mark di Suervo sculpture (“the tire swing”), “motu viget” means “strength in activity.” ArtPrize is excited to invite all local artists (18+) to apply. Eligible artists must provide proof of residency in the 49503, 49504, 49505, 49506, 49507, 49508 zip codes or otherwise reside in the Grand Rapids city limits.
This new grant program will award five local artists $3,000 each to subsidize and support the exhibition of their work among those of national and international entries during ArtPrize. Once registered as an Artist, applicants must then fill out the ArtPrize Artist Motu Viget Grant Application.
The application asks three questions, which each require a short answer:
- What makes your project exceptional? These grants are very competitive. What makes your project stand out excellently?
- Provide a concise draft budget and project timeline. How much do you think it will cost? What will you do to accomplish your objectives on time?
- How will you capture engagement and judge the success of your vision?
A Few Things to Keep in Mind:
- Please do not apply for a Motu Viget Grant before completing Artist Registration. ***Please note all artists (even those of you returning!) must create a new account on artprize.org – we made it brand new!
- There is no additional application fee beyond the normal Artist Registration fee of $50 for a solo artist and $100 for a collaborative team.
- Artists must secure a Venue, sign a hosting agreement, provide proof of residency, and present during ArtPrize to receive the grant funds.
Pitch Night Phoenix
For the third consecutive year, the collaboration between ArtPrize and ArtWins brings back Pitch Night Phoenix. Created as a means of discovering exciting artists from the Phoenix region and bringing them to the event, five selected artists will participate in the live Pitch Night event where they’ll have five minutes to pitch their presentation to a panel of five judges. The selected artist will receive grant support to enter ArtPrize 2023. Please email grants@artprize.org for more details.
City Hall Curator Grant
- $5,000 / grantee
- 1 Grantee
- Received by curator
- Venue: Grand Rapids City Hall
ArtPrize seeks a bright and engaging visioneer to both curate and manage the exhibition at Grand Rapids City Hall. Established early in ArtPrize history as a venue dedicated to Black artists and Afro-centric themes, we’re excited to continue this tradition by offering it as an opportunity to uplift new and emerging creative voices.
Local creatives (and collaborative groups!) are strongly encouraged to apply, but all applications will be considered. The ArtPrize Exhibitions Team will work closely with the grant recipient, who will receive $5,000 to underwrite both the curator’s efforts and the exhibition itself.
The application asks three questions, which each require a short answer:
- What is your curatorial background? These grants are very competitive. What makes your curatorial vision stand out excellently?
- Provide a concise draft budget and project timeline. How much do you think it will cost? What will you do to accomplish your objectives on time?
- How will you capture engagement and judge the success of your vision?
A Few Things to Keep in Mind:
- Please note that you do not have to complete an Artist Registration for the City Hall Curator Grant. This is the only grant that does not require Artist Registration.
- There is no additional application fee beyond the normal Artist Registration fee of $50 for a solo artist and $100 for a collaborative team.
- Artists must secure a Venue, sign a hosting agreement, and present during ArtPrize to receive the grant funds.
General Terms for all Grant Applications and Recipients
All proposals will be reviewed by ArtPrize, a curatorial committee, and designated partners on a 100 point scale and accompanying exhibitions rubric. Within this rubric, consideration will be given to artists from historically underrepresented communities as part of the scoring criteria.
Specific criteria will vary by grant and assessment for impact, feasibility, relevance, vision, and quality of work. ArtPrize reserves the right for all final selections.
Other aspects of consideration for applicants:
- Artistry, Craftsmanship, Concept, and Vision are all important parts of consideration.
- Innovative and engaging. interactive and participatory installations are encouraged but not required. How will the people engage with and experience your concept?
- Project applications should include a compelling, well-defined, and feasible idea. How will you bring this concept to life?
- Provide quality examples of your work and professional documentation.
- For Feature Public Project grants, the artist’s proven ability to execute large-scale public art projects is a major factor of consideration.
- Consider the general safety and public health considerations of the entry.
- For outdoor works, consider their ability to withstand the elements, as well as interaction with pedestrians and the general public during the event.
ArtPrize reserves all rights to verify, review, and use any information submitted or obtained as part of the applicant's proposal, profile, or any other information, whether provided by the applicant to ArtPrize or not.
Any grant awards are subject to all terms and conditions of entry and participation in ArtPrize and will require completion of an agreement with ArtPrize prior to awarding any grant funding. ArtPrize reserves all rights to the schedule and timing of distribution of any grants awarded.
Venue connection and completion of a Hosting Agreement is required for grant funding. ArtPrize may help make a Connection with a venue at their sole discretion and does not guarantee placement.
- The Chris Smit Legacy Grant
- Featured Public Projects (DEADLINE JUNE 19)
- Artist Seed Grants (DEADLINE JUNE 14)
- Motu Viget Grants (DEADLINE JUNE 14)
- Pitch Night Phoenix (DEADLINE JUNE 14)
- City Hall Curator Grant (DEADLINE JUNE 12)
- General Terms for all Grant Applications and Recipients