In 2009, ArtPrize broke the mold as the world's largest art prize. It quickly gained notoriety and became a cause of criticism, but it united those who took part, whether visitors, artists or tourists. It enforced the already present idea that Grand Rapids is a place of potential.

ArtPrize 2010 Sept. 22–Oct. 10 192 venues, mostly in downtown Grand Rapids –Free!– artprize.org, blog.artprize.org For more REVUE coverage of Artprize click here.

ArtPrize 2010 plans to revisit that notion. This year, an additional 451 artists, spanning 21 countries and representing 44 states, will compete for the top prize. Venues have grown in number as well, with an added 33 locations this year.

Although it's clearly grown in size, ArtPrize will not undergo major changes.

"We have very strategically made sure that we have kept the formula somewhat the same," said ArtPrize Co-Founder Bill Holsinger-Robinson. "There was a lot of learning that went into last year, and we wanted to leverage that as much as possible this year."

Due to the success of the UICA and the Old Federal Building as starting off venues last year, the ArtPrize team has deemed seven locations Exhibition Centers. These spots will serve as guaranteed locations to see more art (at least 25 artists) at one stop. Each one also has a store, voter registration, and serves as a shuttle stop.

An element that has been expanded upon is the juried awards. Last year there were only two, but Holsinger-Robinson said this year will see the addition of at least two more.

"The big public vote award it's not about validation, it's about an incentive for people to act and engage with the arts," he said. "These awards are based on artistic expression and quality. There may be more to come by the time September rolls around."

The awards will be determined by at least four judges and based on categories including best two-dimensional work, best three-dimensional work, best time-based work (performance/film/video), and an award for use of urban space.

As for the biggest ArtPrize element — voting — it will largely stay the same. If you registered last year, you will not have to re-register this year. All you need to do is reactivate your account at a voter registration site, which are located at Exhibition Centers.

"I think last year surprised people and they didn't know what to do as far as voting," Holsinger-Robinson said. "There will be more activity and more social media attention given to voting this year."

Logistics aside, ArtPrize is an event that brings together artists and non-artists alike and reminds Grand Rapids what it's capable of. Holsinger-Robinson remembers the first Sunday of the contest last year, when restaurants ran out of food.