Grand Rapids prepares for biggest ArtPrize yet

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- September 15, 2026

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — ArtPrize returns Friday, Sept. 18, and the City of Grand Rapids is preparing to welcome more than 1 million visitors over the 16‑day event. This year’s competition features more than 1,100 artists and 1,025 entries — the largest number since 2018 — across 159 venues in five districts, including City Hall, Calder Plaza, the Blue Bridge and Sixth Street Park.

ArtPrize 2026 builds on strong momentum from last year, which drew 967,000 visitors and generated $82.6 million in economic impact. This year’s theme celebrates “Grand Rapids, Art City USA” and America’s 250, with major public art installations, exhibitions and downtown activations supported by $126,000 in artist and venue grants. The Opening Celebration will feature a parade, an Earth Harp performance on the Pearl Street Bridge and fireworks. The Closing Celebration at Acrisure Amphitheater will include ArtPrize awards and a large-scale fashion show featuring symphony, opera and ballet.

“What we see every September is a powerful compounding effect,” said City Manager Mark Washington. “ArtPrize brings people into our streets and businesses, and our world-class entertainment venues keep them here, filling hotel rooms, supporting local jobs, and showcasing the very best of Grand Rapids.”

The City also expects more than 102,000 people to attend concerts and shows at Acrisure Amphitheater, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance Hall. Amphitheater events continue to strengthen hotel occupancy. Conventions and sports groups remain the base of hotel demand, while concerts add transient visitors during already busy periods, increasing occupancy on 30 of 40 event dates.

“As we prepare to welcome more than a million visitors, our goal is to keep the City vibrant, welcoming and safe for everyone,” said City Manager Mark Washington. “We are focused on supporting residents, businesses and workers while helping visitors enjoy all our city has to offer, from world-class art and public spaces to major concerts and ongoing attractions.”

SAFETY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

To ensure a great experience for visitors and to support residents and businesses, the City is expanding key services and using the opportunity to pilot new initiatives throughout the community.

    • The Downtown Improvement District (DID) will expand services to meet higher visitor demand.
    • The City has piloted a second-shift Corridor Cleaning Crew. The crews operate Wednesday–Friday (4 to 9 p.m.) and Saturday–Sunday (1 to 9 p.m.). They focus on keeping key walkways, alleys and underpasses clean during high-traffic hours.
    • The City’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) has expanded coverage with evening and weekend shifts (4 to 9 p.m. Monday–Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday–Sunday).
    • The Grand Rapids Police Department is adding three additional community police officers, bringing the total to eight throughout the City, and a second-shift traffic unit beginning Sept. 13.

“We are ready for ArtPrize,” said Police Chief Joe Trigg. “Our officers will be downtown, visible and accessible. With expanded community policing and traffic enforcement, we will help everyone move safely through the city.”

Visitors, residents, and businesses are encouraged to report issues promptly:

    • Emergencies: 911
    • Police non-emergency: 616-456-3400 or GRPDinfo@grcity.us
    • Homeless Outreach Team: 616-456-4240 or grhot@grcity.us
    • City Customer Service: 311 or 616-456-3000
    • Refuse Department (after hours/weekends): 616-456-4091 

“We expect large crowds, and our fire teams are ready,” said Fire Chief Brad Brown. “We want people to feel safe everywhere they go — whether they’re attending a concert, walking between ArtPrize venues or visiting one of our parks.”

GETTING AROUND GRAND RAPIDS

    • Ride the DASH: Free daily shuttles serve key ArtPrize areas, arriving every 8 minutes and connecting major destinations and parking ramps, including a stop outside DeVos Place.
    • Use The Rapid: Park & Ride lots at 60th & Division, Burton & Division, Standale Meijer, Alpine Walmart and Woodland Mall offer free parking with convenient bus service to Rapid Central Station and downtown venues (standard fare applies). All Rapid buses, including DASH, are ADA-accessible.
    • Walk, bike or roll: Three walking maps per downtown district each provide three loop options designed to intersect with ArtPrize installations, micromobility hubs and bus routes. Veo scooters and e‑bikes remain an easy, sustainable way to get around.
    • Go!Bus paratransit: A reservation-based accessible service offering a level of transportation comparable to fixed‑route buses.
    • Use enhanced wayfinding: Visitors will find more event guides, signage, parking information and Mobile GR walking loops throughout downtown.

PARKING AND TRAVEL

    • Reserve ahead: Visitors may reserve daily parking at any City‑owned ramp starting at 4 p.m. via ParkMobile. All ramps are ADA‑accessible and located near DASH stops.
    • ADA parking: ADA stalls are available on the first floor of all City‑owned ramps. Reservations are not available; spaces are first come, first served with a valid handicap placard or yellow free‑parking sticker.
    • Parking assistance: City ramps and lots offer free courtesy services, including jump starts, lockout help, flat‑tire assistance and help locating vehicles.
    • Interactive parking maps and rates: Available at grandrapidsmi.gov/Parking.
    • MOTU app available for easy street parking payment.
    • Meter enforcement: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday–Friday, with select meters enforced later and on Saturdays.
    • Road construction updates: grandrapidsmi.gov/departments/engineering/road-construction/

“With the coordinated work of our City teams and partners, this year’s ArtPrize will be one of our safest, cleanest and most accessible yet,” Washington said. “We are proud to welcome visitors from around the world to experience Grand Rapids.”

For more information, please visit www.grandrapidsmi.gov/MobileGR or www.artprize.org.

 

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