ArtPrize Town Hall Meeting 4/27
April 23rd, 2009
For Grand Rapids residents interested in ArtPrize with questions about participation as venue hosts or as artists, there will be a town hall meeting Monday, April 27 starting at 5:30pm in the UICA building.
ArtPrize executive director Jeff Meeuwsen will be on hand with the ArtPrize team to walk through the process and answer questions.
Email your questions beforehand to townhall@artprize.org.
Hello:
I would like to produce a feature about ArtPrize for Interlochen Public Radio. May I attend the town hall meeting with portable recording gear?
Brad Aspey
Arts Editor
Interlochen Public Radio
1. How should I categorize the “type of art form” of my work which involves a 2-D painting (on stretched canvas) that is contained within a specially made, “sculptural-type” frame (having a perimeter shape of standard 2-D frames) but with 3-D elements composing its interior? (I assume “2-D” is appropriate?)
2. Could you please discuss items asked on the application, (especially the essays) for persons who are new to such an application process; (e.g. any “unspoken” expectations in the art community with such essays)?
A new major art event such as ArtPrize can only succeed on it’s level of professionalism. Isn’t letting the public award over $400,000 in prize money a little like letting the public award the Nobel Prizes? Rick Devos may think it’s fun to shake up things and “see what happens” but let’s not forget you are asking artists from around the world to shoulder the cost and effort to ship,install and insure their work in venues around Grand Rapids. Should not artists be entitled to a little more professionalism in the jurying process?
Are you planning on building out some kind of community/wiki component to:
* ease the connecting of artists with spaces, spaces with each other, artists with each other, volunteers with everyone
* assistance options for artists, lodging, transportation options,
* curatorial process for each site,
* legal documents,
* site plans, access hours, details on material/technology constraints, etc.
I now some of this is covered at in the private artists section and on the FAQ but its in silo and lacks the social media strategy you are advocating for the voting in September.
I agree with Richard (who is a fabulous artist). I think it’s a wonderful idea to have this competition and a great opportunity, but I wonder about the feasibility. There were certainly lawyers working overtime on the rules and regulations! The $50 entry fee for one piece and the level of responsibility of the artist for lining up a venue and hanging the work is more than a little off putting. If anyone would have asked me, I would have suggested a smaller prize and lowering the entry fee. Installing pieces in unfamiliar locations is daunting. That should be done by professionals. Many of the requirements will eliminate some terrific artists who can’t afford it or can’t get through all the hoops.
A $50 registration is reasonable and the cost of shipping, etc. is a small price to pay if you think you’re that good and may win $250,000. Even $7,000 is worth the effort, don’t you think? I love the idea of regular folks voting for their favorite art pieces. In the real world, our opinions are rarely asked for and the opportunity to not only vote but actually view the pieces is extraordinarily intriguing to me! My two children are artists (college age) and though they may not enter this year we certainly will make the effort to view as many pieces as we can. Props to Rick DeVos!
Mr. Kooyman,
Mr. DeVos made it clear he is starting a conversation between All those interested. Truly, Sir if the Artist is too important/professional and is unable to participate due to the high cost of their time and effort or lack of confidence in public opinion, please feel welcome to stay home and watch. I am sure there are Artists who would be grateful for the opportunity and excited about the possibilities enough to fill in the blanks beautifully.
ArtPrize is for everyone…not just the “important/professional”. The “educated/enlightened” are welcome to come up with their own idea and have a great time doing so.
Thank you Mr. DeVos…it’s going to be a fun summer
Regards
Dear Organizers and residents of Grand Rapids:
I am a Canadian ceramic artist and I have been working with Polish artist Renata Szyrocka Harquevaux. We have started a project in France that is a traveling installation. We have a spectacular and positive message to share with the world about the meeting of different peoples and living in peace. Is it possible to propose a project together? Our work compliments each other and was conceived for that purpose. This installation is presently installed in a small communty center in the little village of La Gaude. Only the local people and our friends have seen it but everyone feels it should be appreciated on an international level. Please take a look at our blog and give us your feed back. It is 15 meters high and 6 meters wide. Thank you for your time. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in such a positive initiative. Sincerely, Cheryl
The voting rules state that only registered votes can vote, and individuals can vote on more than one work. I’m assuming this means that a registered voter can vote only once for any single artwork to avoid “ballot stuffing.”
Is being printed in the newspaper considered being published?
Mr. Kooyman and Ms. Vainner,
Your concerns have some validity, Mr. Kooyman, as I would be nervous shipping my paintings, which are arguably not the caliber of yours, to an unknown curator, with sketchy experience. So you may choose to sit this one out. However, I certainly hope not, as I’d love to curate a show of Leelanau County artists and would invite you to participate, as I’ve always admired your work.
I’m working on my own artist statement to include my own ‘unprofession’ paintings of the county. I do, however have a degree in Visual Communications, and 10+ years as a design professional, who has experience in securing gallery space, cultivating relationships, managing projects such as this installation, etc.
I’m a volunteer for ArtPrize, and I can’t wait to see what good may come of this generous offer to Michigan.
Ruth and Suzanne, questioning the process and commenting on the structure of ArtPrize doesn’t imply that anyone is saying they are “too important or professional” to participate. The artists who put out the time and money to enter and travel and install are putting out real effort for the ‘chance’ they may get one of the prizes. The odds are a little better than playing the lottery, but there’s an analogy there.
The meeting at the UICA yesterday was packed and very interesting, but I spoke to many artists who feel a little queasy about the structure.
Ms. Wieringa,
I believe it does and to be clear, I don’t find anything wrong with an Artist choosing to not participate because their time, money, travel and install is too expensive(important).
The rules are made by the creators of the event and to use words like “can only succeed” and “entitled” is just a bit odd. Change the channel if you prefer.
If an Artist cannot afford to or is unwilling to participate for whatever reason, emotionally, physically, financially etc. don’t, and we will miss you and hope you can participate next year.
This IS a generous offer and exciting opportunity and as a life long resident of G.R. I believe Rick and the DeVos family deserves our warmest thanks AGAIN.
We are looking forward to meeting you folks.
I’ll say one thing for this, it’s certainly not boring! Fascinating process!