2017's ArtPrize attendance increase had a bigger impact on Grand Rapids economy than the year before.

According to WOOD TV, the organizers of ArtPrize said 2016's event drew close to a half a million people while 2017's event drew near 525,000 attendees.

The world's largest art competition drew attendees fro 47 countries and all 50 states with just over 40% of them traveling from more than 30 miles away.

From 2016 to 2017 there was a $4 million increase in the Grand Rapids economy with ArtPrize Nice bringing in $33 million, according to a survey by Lansing based Anderson Economic Group.

ArtPrize's new executive director, Jori Bennett, told WOOD-TV8,

At year 10, our vision is to continue to improve and deepen the ArtPrize experience for our guests, and we are eager to execute new strategies that will result in more repeat visits and an even bigger impact on the city.

Registration for ArtPrize 10 is now through June 7th. Two $200,000 prizes are awarded.

The dates for ArtPrize 10 are September 19th through October 7th.

 

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