Turn City into giant gallery

GR project to let public vote on art winner, turn city into giant gallery
A Grand Rapids Web entrepreneur has unveiled a new venture in the art world. Rick DeVos has announced ArtPrize, a 16-day event that's an online art competition "American Idol" style. ArtPrize invites artists of all kinds from all over the world, using all media, to participate in a competition that will award nearly $500,000 to the winners, including $250,000 to the artist who receives the most public votes. ArtPrize, which will run from Sept. 23 through Oct. 10, will have no formal jury, curator or judge. The public will register to vote and decide who wins the prizes, using mobile devices and the Web. ArtPrize art works and performances, professional and amateur, will be exhibited at hundreds of venues, all within a three-square mile area in Grand Rapids' downtown riverfront district. More.