Overview

• The monthlong competition begins today and concludes Oct. 4, with preview events Thursday and an opening celebration Friday featuring a Rosa Parks Circle party, a dusk parade, and fireworks over the Grand River.
• About 1,000 artists representing 39 states and 18 countries are exhibiting across downtown Grand Rapids’ five districts.
• Winners will be announced Oct. 3 at Studio Park, including $100,000 grand prizes for both the public vote and juried selections, six $10,000 category awards, five $10,000 juried visibility awards, and a $5,000 outstanding venue award.
• Programming highlights include the BioPhilia Gallery at SILVA, drone painting demonstrations by Jungseok Oh, the traveling Art of the Olympians exhibit, the Arborialis immersive experience with yoga, a Sept. 26 halftime concert, hands-on workshops, and a Sept. 28 breakdancing competition.
• Economic impact figures vary across reports, with the GVSU study cited above contrasted by other coverage referencing about 800,000 visitors and roughly $71 million in activity last year.