World's largest ArtPrize announces 2012 artist/venue registration dates

For the past three years, ArtPrize has set itself apart by empowering the public and giving them a critical voice.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI.- ArtPrize, the radically open, international art competition and social experiment, today announced its registration timeline for 2012. Officials have also announced special dates for submitting art to be installed in the Grand River. ArtPrize 2012 will run from Sept. 19 through Oct. 7. ArtPrize is organized very differently from other competitive art events: ArtPrize organizers do not choose artists, venues choose artists Any space in downtown Grand Rapids can register to be a venue Artists must connect with a venue to participate in the event “The ArtPrize platform creates a system that values creativity, experimentation and above all, collaboration,” said Catherine Creamer, executive director of ArtPrize. “Artists are encouraged to build a relationship and partner with a venue as early as possible to create a memorable and successful installation.” Critical to this process are registration dates: Venue Registration Open: Monday, March 12 (Noon EDT) Close: Thursday April 12 (5:00 p.m. EDT) Artist Registration/Connections Open Monday, April 23 (Noon EDT) Artist Registration Close Thursday, May 24 (5:00 p.m. EDT) Connections Period Close Thursday, June 14 (5:00 p.m. EDT) There are few differences between the 2011 and 2012 registration process, key changes include simultaneous Artist Registration and Connections Period, allowing artists to immediately coordinate with a venue upon registration. Connections will remain open beyond Artist Registration until June 14. Any art proposed for installation in the Grand River, which runs through the center of the ArtPrize district, must be submitted to the city of Grand Rapids and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) according to the following schedule: Pre-application filed with the City of Grand Rapids Monday, March 5 Application filed with the DEQ Friday, March 16 The DNRE will process the application using the following steps: Public notice period begins: Friday, March 30 Public notice period ends: Friday, April 20 Public hearing, if requested: Friday, May 18 Required time for comments: Tuesday, May 29 Permit Decision Thursday, June 7 This process allows the State of Michigan and City of Grand Rapids to review proposed work and ensure that the installation meets specific criteria relevant to the environmental, structural and navigability impact on the river. In ArtPrize 2011, Mia Tavonatti, of Orange Co. Calif., captured the top prize of $250,000 for her work, Crucifixion. Chris LaPorte of Grand Rapids, Mich. won the top prize in 2010 with Cavalry, American Officers, 1921, and Ran Ortner of Brooklyn, N.Y. won in 2009 for his work Open Water No. 24.