Questions for Rick DeVos, the mind behind ArtPrize
What have you done to improve ArtPrize this year?
The goal is to change as little of the fundamentals as possible. We've done a few things to build out on the successes from last year. As a whole, it will change and improve through evolution because it's so distributed and there are so many communities involved. It will change in ways that we can't predict.
The goal is to change as little of the fundamentals as possible. We've done a few things to build out on the successes from last year. As a whole, it will change and improve through evolution because it's so distributed and there are so many communities involved. It will change in ways that we can't predict.
Last year there were two juried awards. This year, there will be at least four.
We're continuing to add reasons and incentives to join as an artist. The one big prize sends everyone in a particular direction. These awards are more specific. If you try to jury for the big prize, it gets really messy. Juried awards are supplements to the big prize.
Is ArtPrize more than a popularity contest?
Popularity is clearly a part of it, but it's not about the prize; it's about the conversation. To say that it is a popularity contest is an inherently bad thing, it doesn't make any sense to me. It was an attempt to do something new, and we did.
Last year, restaurants started running out of food and hotels had no more rooms to offer during ArtPrize.
It was weird. Every metric that we were trying to keep track of was three to five times bigger than we expected. The hoards that came downtown were not anticipated. We hoped for big numbers, but not that big. When I initially came up with the numbers, we thought it would be 20- to 35-year-olds, but it wasn't. Families with little kids got really involved, which was great.
Do you think the best piece of art won last year?
I'm not concerned with that. I think a great piece of art won. I think it reflected the city and it will be interesting to see what happens this year.
What's the single hardest thing you had to do in order to make ArtPrize happen?
Last year it was a lot of explaining of how it would work and this year it's not like that. We don't have to explain its potential this year. We are just trying to get people to think big.
Why did you choose ArtPrize and why Grand Rapids?
I love Grand Rapids and have always felt a connection to downtown. It's always been a part of my family's culture. I initially thought a film festival would be fun. It would need a ton of centralized planning, which doesn't sound fun, and film festivals are everywhere. Why not do something wacky and new? ArtPrize could have failed but luckily it didn't. It was a lot more fun than a film festival would have been.
You studied film. When you see ArtPrize entries, are you drawn to ones that include film?
There's not really one thing that catches my eye. The most peaceful time I spent studying was in London - every week I went to museums and galleries. My interests are not film-focused. I love work that fits into the space it's given. I love the relationship that develops between the artists and venues. I don't change that.
When we think of ArtPrize and controversial artists, and even those that get people talking the most, one name comes to mind: Rob Bliss.
I don't even need to wade into the middle of all that. But I support his passion and the things he's doing for the city of Grand Rapids.
How do you envision ArtPrize evolving, five or 10 years from now?
It's really impossible to say because it's really out of my control at a certain point and there are so many factors involved. It's like trying to guess what a field mouse would be like in a thousand years.
It's really impossible to say because it's really out of my control at a certain point and there are so many factors involved. It's like trying to guess what a field mouse would be like in a thousand years.
What do you hope for it to be?
I would want it to continue to learn from itself and shift the culture of West Michigan and shift people's thoughts on what they can do in their city. I'm interested in empowering people to be creators and support creators. If we can do that, the better off our region will be. I really want to see that culture shift and how it can manifest.
What is your typical day like during ArtPrize?
There's certainly not a typical day during ArtPrize. I work downtown and I spend most days down here meeting with the ArtPrize team, discussing aspects of the event.
And when ArtPrize is over?
If I'm lucky and I have the time I fly my helicopter and ride my motorcycle. And if it's nice, I'm on a boat.
Interview conducted by Kelli Kolakowski, condensed and edited by Lindsay Patton-Carson
Photo courtesy of ArtPrize/Brian Kelly Photography
Photo courtesy of ArtPrize/Brian Kelly Photography
