ArtPrize is an annual international art competition and cultural event held in Grand Rapids, MI. ArtPrize is a 501c3 nonprofit. We fundraise year round to cover our entire operating budget, including the over $600,000 awarded in prizes and distributed in grants to artists, curators, and educators. The largest source of contributions is corporate giving, followed by governmental support, foundations and individuals.

More detailed information for ArtPrize 2025 coming soon!

HOW DO I ENTER MY WORK?

Artist registration for this year’s ArtPrize will be open from Monday, March 31st, 2025 - Friday, May 30th, 2025.

Registration must be completed online; there is no paper application.

Click here to view a step-by-step link guide on how to register on our artist dashboard.

If you registered and/or participated as an artist in 2024, you WILL NOT have to re-register. Simply login to the artist dashboard with the same email address and password.

*PLEASE NOTE: If you registered as an ArtPrize artist BEFORE 2024, you will have to re-register for 2025 on our new artist platform.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER?

When you register, you’ll pay a $65 registration fee. Collaborative entries (entries made by a team of two or more artists) are $130. All entries must be paid by credit card through our secure payment system online.

IS THERE A STUDENT DISCOUNT ON THE REGISTRATION FEE?

Yep. In fact, students, faculty, and staff of educational institutions can all receive discounts by entering their “.edu” email address when registering. Once your artist profile and entry are created in the system, simply email exhibitions@artprize.org (using that same .edu address) and request your discount before you submit payment.

For collaborative entries, all artists involved with the entry must register with a .edu address in order to be eligible for the discount.

WHAT ARE THE ARTIST RULES?

2025 Artist Rules and Artist Handbook available soon!

HOW DO I SUBMIT A COLLABORATIVE ENTRY?

After you create your artist profile, you will be asked if your entry is a solo or collaborative entry. Simply select 'collaborative entry' and follow the prompts. You will be registered as the primary contact for connections and ArtPrize communications. You will also be responsible for adding your collaborators to your entry profile by providing their email addresses.

After adding all your entry details, you will need to complete payment to finalize your entry registration. The fee for a collaborative entry is $130.

Your collaborators will receive an email with instructions on how to connect to your collaborative entry and (if they have not already) create their individual artist profile.

HOW MANY PIECES CAN I ENTER?

Each artist may submit only ONE entry. An entry may be several pieces that make up a series or an installation with several elements. Each entry must have one title, and it will be voted on as a single unit. To submit a series or multi-part installation as your entry, you’ll need to indicate the entire space needed to exhibit the work. Do this in the “Entry Details” section of your entry profile, and provide a description of the series, individual piece sizes, etc. in the “Description” section.

DOES MY ENTRY HAVE TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE I ENTER ARTPRIZE?

No. Often, artists submit entries that haven't been completed yet. We only require that you complete your entry by the opening of the event.

When you register, fill out both your entry profile and personal artist profile as thoroughly as possible. This includes a detailed description of your entry, as well as images, sketches, or renderings of your work in progress. entry and artist profiles can be updated at any time, even after artist registration and connections close.

WHAT CATEGORIES CAN I ENTER MY ARTWORK IN?

This year, we have six entry categories:

2-D – Entries that exist primarily on a flat plane. Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and most textiles are examples of 2D work. 

3-D – Entries that occupy space and are intended to be viewed from multiple angles. Sculptures that are not site-specific (see the installation category for site-specific sculptures) belong in the 3-D category. 

Time-Based – Entries that are durational and change over time. The viewer has to spend some time with the work to fully view it. This includes performance, video and film, dance, music, and interactive work. 

Installation – Entries that are dependent on the site in which they are installed. The location is not a neutral ground and is an important element of the work. Installation is different from 3-D in that changing the location of the piece would dramatically change the work. 

New Media – (formerly 'Digital) Entries that are created using a wide range of emerging digital art technologies. This can include but is not limited to animation, VR/AR, projection mapping, visual data analysis + display, video games, generative art practices, as tools to produce and display artworks. Remember: ArtPrize only recognizes humans as artists + designers eligible to receive prizes (but acknowledges that humans need creative tools!)

+Design – Entries that are physical expressions of purpose with the intent to impact the way life is experienced. +Design entries may belong to any of design disciplines including fashion design, furniture design, automotive design, architecture, urban design, industrial design, etc.

CAN I SELL MY ARTWORK DURING ARTPRIZE?

Yes, you can choose to offer your artwork for sale. During registration, you can indicate you wish to sell your entry. Visitors will be able to see if your piece is for sale and contact you should they wish to inquire or purchase your artwork.

All sales are voluntary, and you can choose to sell your artwork through whatever platform or network you so choose, or elect to be represented by AllArtWorks, a collaborating partner organization, for the sale of your entry.

ArtPrize is not involved in the sale process other than displaying if an entry is for sale or making a connection with AllArtWorks. ArtPrize will not take a commission from any individual sale during the event.

HOW DO I FIND A VENUE TO DISPLAY MY ENTRY?

Once registered, you can browse the list of venues and request to connect (once the connections period opens). Click the image of a venue to review it and find out if it would be a good fit for your work.

When you find someplace you like, simply click "Send Connection Request' on the Venue image/profile.

Artist and venue connections is now closed.

View a walk-thru video of the connections process here.

CAN I SECURE CONNECTIONS WITH MULTIPLE VENUES?

No. You can request Connections with as many venues as you’d like, but you can only secure a Connection with one venue.

Once you’ve secured the connection online, the “Request Connection” function will be disabled for your Entry, and all remaining pending Connections will lapse.

HOW MANY VENUES SHOULD I REQUEST?

We recommend starting with six or seven requests. Again, you can request connections with as many venues as you like, but ultimately you must connect with only one.

CAN I REACH OUT TO VENUES BEFORE CONNECTIONS?

Yes. Each venue is independently organized, and each has its approach for organizing their exhibition. Some venues plan far ahead, some do not. It probably wouldn’t hurt to reach out to venues early, although it’s best to work with venues on their timelines. If the venues you'd like to connect with aren’t accepting proposals until connections begins, reaching out early won’t help.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T CONNECT WITH A VENUE?

If you do not connect with a venue, you are not entered in ArtPrize. The $65 registration fee is non-refundable. As with most juried art exhibitions and open-call shows, not all Artists who submit will be included in the final exhibition.

I NEED TO SIGN A HOSTING AGREEMENT WITH MY VENUE. WHAT IS THAT AND WHERE DO I GET ONE?

The hosting agreement is a contract that must be signed between the Artist and the Venue before the connection can be finalized. It covers installation details, insurance, shipping, and other important information.

Generally, the Venue coordinator you connect with will create the Hosting Agreement from a template provided to them by ArtPrize. Both parties will then review and sign the agreement. The hosting agreement will be distributed to artists by the venue.

DO I NEED A PERMIT?

An important component of preparing for your exhibit is determining whether or not your entry will require City approvals and a permit. Murals, entries in the public space, or any entry that might potentially obstruct a walkway or other public space, become a part of the Grand Rapids landscape and may require review and approval by the City of Grand Rapids’ Arts Advisory Board and a permit.

For more information regarding outdoor entries and permits, please refer to the Artist Handbook (coming soon!)

DO I NEED TO INSURE MY ENTRY?

ArtPrize does not require artists to obtain insurance for their artwork, but it’s strongly encouraged. Some projects may require a permit by the city if they are exhibited on public property, such permits require insurance on a case-by-case basis.

For those who are interested in insuring their artwork, ACT Insurance has created a policy that serves ArtPrize artists. Please note that there is an exclusion for "3D Art Installation," which refers to works that are suspended in the air or permanently installed. Additionally, your current insurance provider may offer extra coverage for purchase. For further inquiries, please email support@artprize.org.

WHEN CAN I BEGIN INSTALLING MY WORK?

It depends on your venue. All delivery, installation, and de-installation details should be made directly with your venue coordinator.

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES SHOULD I BE AWARE OF DURING ARTPRIZE?

ArtPrize offers artists a variety of opportunities during the event, including professional development workshops, access to ArtPrize hospitality spaces, and special events. Leading up to ArtPrize, be sure to stay tuned to all communication sent from the Exhibitions Team so that you don’t miss out.

Make sure you check your artist dashboard for artist-only resources and discounts available during the event from Grand Rapids area businesses.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY DURING ARTPRIZE?

We understand that participating in ArtPrize can be expensive for those artists traveling from out of town. Fortunately, there are wonderful Volunteers who are ready to help reduce the cost of your stay. Each year, ArtPrize helps connect out-of-town artists with volunteers offering free temporary housing. Details about the Volunteer Artist Housing Program will come soon!

DOES ARTPRIZE PROVIDE ME WITH LABELS OR SIGNAGE?

Yes. Your venue coordinator will receive official ArtPrize labels that must be displayed with each entry. They include voting information, title, medium, category, and artist name, as well as the artist’s city, state, and country. ArtPrize does not print artist statements, but we do provide digital templates if you’d like to create your own.

DO I NEED TO BE PRESENT WITH MY ENTRY AT THE EVENT?

No, but we encourage you to attend. Our visitors enjoy hearing directly from the artists about their work, and it’s a great chance to meet other participating artists.

WHERE DO I GET MY ARTIST BADGE?

You’ll receive an email from the Exhibitions team closer to the event with artist-check-in location and hours. It’s important that you pick up your badge so that you can gain access to certain ArtPrize events and spaces.

CAN I USE THE ARTPRIZE LOGO?

No. When promoting your ArtPrize entry, you are not permitted to use the ArtPrize logo. Instead, we will provide an artist icon that artists can use on promotional materials.

HOW DO PEOPLE VOTE FOR MY ENTRY?

When you register your artwork, you’re assigned a five-digit vote code, located beneath your entry title on the ArtPrize portal (see below). Your entry label will also include a QR code, which serves as a shortcut so that, instead of entering the numbers, visitors can simply scan the label and directly vote for your work.

DOES ARTPRIZE RELEASE VOTE TOTALS?

No. Vote totals are not released to the public or to artists. Voting is how we measure the public's response to ArtPrize, but we're careful not to let it turn into a horse race. Voting drives engagement, but it's only one small way people encounter your work. This is a similar approach to other arts awards, such as the Oscars or the Tonys, which also do not reveal vote totals.