GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — ArtPrize is returning to Grand Rapids for its annual international art competition and cultural event, officially running Sept. 18 through Oct. 3, 2026. Preview Week has already kicked off Sept. 12 through Sept. 17, giving residents and visitors an early look at this year's entries before the competition formally begins.

The event transforms businesses and public spaces across Grand Rapids into a citywide gallery, showcasing artwork from artists around the world. All ArtPrize entries are free and open to the public.

A Record Year

This year's ArtPrize is the largest in the event's history. Organizers say the competition will feature a record 1,025 works from 1,142 artists across 159 venues. More than $375,000 in grants and awards is up for grabs, with the top prize valued at $100,000.

Five Districts, Flexible Hours

Artwork will be displayed across five ArtPrize districts: Center City, North, East, South and West. While individual venue hours vary, ArtPrize requires participating locations to be open at least from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Visitors can use ArtPrize's digital map to locate venues and entries, or search online by artist name, entry title, or voting code.

Opening Weekend

Public voting opens at noon Friday, Sept. 18, marking the official start of the competition. The opening celebration runs from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle and the Pearl Street Bridge.

The kickoff includes a musical parade that starts at Rosa Parks Circle and ends at the bridge with a performance featuring the Earth Harp, which ArtPrize describes as the world's largest string instrument.

Family-friendly activities throughout opening weekend include:

• Friday: "A Lego Space Adventure" at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and "CakePrize" at Sugar Bar, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (continuing Saturday and Sunday).
• Saturday: The Merchants and Makers Market at Rosa Parks Circle, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; The Art of Resilience Opening Day at Veterans Memorial Park, starting 10:30 a.m.; and a Grand Rapids Opera performance at Rosa Parks Circle.
• Sunday: A free hosted song and tune swap with Ben Traverse and Friends at ArtRat Gallery, 3 to 5 p.m., and the "Flower Ladies" free take-home collage event with Janiah Skye at ArtRat Gallery, 5 to 8 p.m.

How Public Voting Works

Public voting is a central part of ArtPrize. Visitors must cast their first vote while inside the ArtPrize boundaries, but can vote from any location afterward. To vote, visitors scan the QR code on an artist's label, log in or register through ArtPrize's web-based voting system, and cast their vote from the entry's page. People can return every 24 hours to vote again.

Public voting remains open until 10 p.m. Oct. 2.

More Programming

After opening weekend, special programming continues. A Visual Art themed weekend is planned for Sept. 26, including Doodle Street at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market and ArtPrize's Halftime Party at John Ball Zoo.

The event culminates on Oct. 3 with a Fashion themed weekend and the awards celebration at Acrisure Amphitheater. The final celebration will include award presentations to winning artists, along with fashion and live performances.

Planning Your Visit

The ArtPrize Clubhouse serves as a central resource during the event, where visitors can get help navigating the competition, find information, and purchase official merchandise. Organizers recommend using the ArtPrize website or mobile web app to search for specific artists and entries and to plan routes using the 2026 digital map. With artwork spread across five districts, organizers note visitors do not need to experience everything at once.

For more information, visit ArtPrize.org.