Overview

• The monthlong competition began Sept. 18, featuring roughly 1,100 artists representing 39 states and 18 countries across five downtown districts.
• Friday’s public kickoff includes a 6:30 p.m. party at Rosa Parks Circle, a dusk parade, and fireworks over the Grand River.
• This year’s awards include $100,000 public vote and $100,000 juried grand prizes, six $10,000 category awards, five $10,000 juried visibility awards, and a $5,000 outstanding venue prize, with the event concluding Oct. 4.
• Featured programming spans the BioPhilia Gallery at SILVA, live drone painting by Jungseok Oh, the Art of the Olympians exhibit at Downtown Market, and the Arborialis immersive experience with yoga on Sept. 21 and 28.
• Economic studies from 2024 vary, with a GVSU report estimating about 795,555 visitors and $50 million in direct spending, while other reporting cited roughly 800,000 visitors and $71 million in economic activity.