“This overall was a very successful year.”
ArtPrize Executive Director Catlin Whitington says the competition had more visitors spending more money in 2025.
“82 point six million dollars into the regional economy.”
In a presentation to the city commission, Whitington says in the three years since the city, Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University took over ArtPrize:
“We have brought over 208-million-dollars into the local economy and created so many jobs across all different sectors.”
The city commission is supporting another memorandum of understanding to keep ArtPrize going for at least 3 more years. And Mayor David LaGrande says it’s not just because it’s good for the economy.
“Art is not something we do so we can make money. This is something I think fundamental you can’t ever think about primarily in economic terms.”
And LeGrande says Art Prize is now part of what makes Grand Rapids Grand Rapids.
“What is Grand Rapids? What makes us unique? For me, one is Meijer Garden. Art Prize is the other one.”
“Art prize is something the community looks forward to. As one of my favorite volunteers says: it’s better than Christmas.”
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