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Cool City. Hot Art.
"Few cities anywhere do more to celebrate creativity than Michigan's second largest Metropolis," reported Men's Journal in a 2011 profile of Grand Rapids. It's true - the city has long been a mecca for those who create art and those who appreciate it.
In fact, the symbol of the city is a work of art: Alexander Calder's "La Grande Vitesse" sculpture. Roughly translated as "The Great Swiftness," evoking the Grand River that runs through downtown, the sculpture stands 54 feet long, 43 feet high and 30 feet wide. It was installed in front of City Hall in 1969, where it still stands, and its likeness appears on everything from letterhead to street signs to garbage trucks.
Known simply as "The Calder" to area residents, this was the very first civic sculpture jointly financed by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) and private funds. It ushered in a new era for art in Grand Rapids and inspired our annual Festival of the Arts celebration, which encompasses 10 city blocks surrounding the Calder and is attended by a half-million people every year.
Today, Grand Rapids is a destination for every kind of art - from visual to performing, from traditional to cutting-edge. It's also forged a new model for the business of art. Creative people come here to attend Kendall College of Art & Design, which in addition to fine arts instruction is known for the quality of its education and alumni in furniture and industrial design. This is the center of the office furniture industry and the birthplace of such iconic designs as the Herman Miller Aeron Chair and Steelcase Think Chair. Several area employers have joined together to create GRid70, a collaborative think tank in which designers and staff from different corporations rub shoulders and draw inspiration from each other.
GRid70 has helped reinforce the city's status as a creative center - and it's one more reason Grand Rapids is a magnet for the "creative class."
Outdoor Art
Downtown GR is a feast for the eyes, with sculptures, murals and historic buildings on virtually every corner. Just a few minutes away, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park features large-scale sculptures in stunning natural settings. Download a walking map of downtown art and take the GR Tag Tour of significant sites.
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ArtPrize
The world's richest, most radically open art competition takes place every autumn in Grand Rapids. More than 1,700 painters, sculptors, performing artists and other creative types display their work around the city for all to see - and everyone votes on who will win the $350,000 prize money. Discover more about ArtPrize here.
Museums
Take a walk on the cultural side: the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Gerald. R. Ford Presidential Museum and Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts are all within a ten-minute stroll of each other in downtown GR.
Performing Arts
Professional ballet, opera and symphony companies, several outstanding community theatres, and two mega-capacity performance venues ensure a steady stream of top-flight entertainment - from Lady Gaga to La Boheme. Check the performance schedule for your stay.
Contemporary Art
A vital contemporary art scene begins with downtown's Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts and extends to the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and various art neighborhoods. Thousands of residents regularly participate in grand-scale art experiments like "chalk floods" and "zombie walks."
Live Music
A thriving local music scene finds expression in clubs and bars throughout the city, from live jazz nights to "acoustic stews." Outdoor concerts run the gamut from free "Blues on the Mall" events in downtown GR to a Summer Concert Series on the lush grounds of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
Culture Pass GR
See more for less! Culture Pass GR offers exclusive specials and discounts at more than 20 area institutions. Get a free Culture Pass when you book select hotel packages.
Art of Fashion
Kendall College of Art & Design offers a fashion design degree in partnership with New York City's famed Parsons School for Design. Local designer Pamela DeVos creates clothing for some of the world's most famous women, while homegrown boutiques like Renee Austin dress local women in designer wear.
Galleries of Art in our Neighborhoods
Local artists ply their trade and sell their work in distinct creative hubs around the city, including Avenue of the Arts, East Grand Rapids, Eastown and Uptown. Check out area galleries.
Get Cultured in GR packages
Get cultured in Grand Rapids with a FREE culture pass giving you discounts and special offers to many West Michigan arts and cultural organizations.
Culture Pass GR Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Includes a $40 gift card for breakfast, self or valet parking at the hotel, one Culture Pass Grand Rapids that gives you discounts to many of the areas top attractions, a 20% discount at Plaza Essentials and Plaza Men's Store and use of the Plaza Fitness Center
- Booking Method
- Call Hotel Directly
Culture Pass GR Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Clarion Inn and Suites Airport
Get Cultured in Grand Rapids! Book for a FREE Culture Pass giving you year-round benefits to exclusive discounts and special offers to many West Michigan arts and cultural organizations
- Booking Method
- Call Hotel Directly
Culture Pass Grand Rapids Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Country Inn & Suites East Beltline
Included is our hot and cold deluxe breakfast buffet, two tickets to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one Culture Pass with discounts to over 20 cultural locations in and around Grand Rapids, complimentary parking, and wireless internet. Package starts at $129.99 p/tax.
- Booking Method
- Visit Their Website
- Booking Code
- CULTURE
Culture Pass GR Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Country Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Airport
Get Cultured in Grand Rapids! Book for a FREE Culture Pass giving you year-round benefits to exclusive discounts and special offers to many West Michigan arts and cultural organizations.
- Booking Method
- Visit Their Website
GR Culture Pass Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Courtyard by Marriott
Package includes: • Overnight accommodations • Breakfast (maximum four people) • One Culture Pass *Culture Pass is for: Actor's Theatre, Broadway GR, Circle Theatre, DeVos Performance Hall, Downtown Alliance Grand Rapids, Gerald R. Ford Museum, GR Art Museum, Ballet Company, Children's Museum, Civic Theatre, Public Library, Public Museum, Symphony, Opera, Jewish Theatre GR, John Ball Zoo, St. Cecilia Music Center, the Van Andel Arena and more .* Reservations Be sure that promotional code CUE appears in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making your online reservation, or call 1-800-228-9290 in the US and ask for promotional code CUE. For toll-free numbers outside the US please click here. Terms and Conditions Valid Friday - Saturday through 09/30/13. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions apply. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations. ..
- Booking Method
- Visit Their Website
- Booking Code
- CUE
The Culture Pass GR Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
Play tourist - Take in all the well-known and little-known sights while you soak up local culture. The Culture Pass GR Package includes: - Deluxe Accommodations - One Culture Pass Grand Rapids featuring promotions and discounts at many area attractions (Visit www.culturepassgr.com for offer details) - Hot breakfast for two adults and two children 12 years of age and under registered in the same room in the Bistro - Self parking for one vehicle in the hotel ramp - Not valid for groups of 10 or more
- Booking Method
- Visit Their Website
- Booking Code
- CUE
Grand Rapids Culture
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Hampton Inn & Suites Airport
Choose this package and experience some of Grand Rapids Culture. Your package includes your choice of two tickets to Grand Rapids Art Museum, two tickets to Grand Rapids Public Museum, or two tickets to Frederick Meijer Gardens. You will also receive a free culture pass giving you discounts and special offers to many West Michigan arts and cultural organizations.
- Booking Method
- Visit Their Website
- Booking Code
- Direct URL Link Provided / Or visit Hotel Specials on Page
Culture Pass GR Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Holiday Inn - Grand Rapids Airport
Get Cultured in Grand Rapids! Book for a FREE Culture Pass giving you year-round benefits to exclusive discounts and special offers to many West Michigan arts and cultural organizations
- Booking Method
- Visit Their Website
Grand Rapids Culture Pass Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Hyatt Place Grand Rapids - South
Enjoy one Culture Pass per stay, per guestroom. Valid for special offers with a number of participating venues in downtown Grand Rapids. For a current list of venues visit www.culturepassgr.com. Call to Book Now! 616-724-1234 ext. 0 or 1-888-HYATT-HP
- Booking Method
- Visit Their Website
Got Culture Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
JW Marriott Grand Rapids
Discover Grand Rapids Play tourist. Take in all the well-known and little-known sights while you soak up local culture. Includes all of the following: - Deluxe Accommodations (1 King or 2 Queen Beds) - One Culture Pass Grand Rapids featuring promotions and discounts at many area attractions (Visit www.culturepassgr.com for offer details) - Breakfast buffet for two adults and two children 12 years of age and under registered in the same room in Six One Six (Not valid for a la carte or In-Room Dining) - Self parking for one vehicle (USD16.00 value)
- Booking Method
- Visit Their Website
- Booking Code
- CUE
Culture Pass GR Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Riverfront Hotel-Grand Rapids
Room with a King or 2 Double Beds, Free Breakfast Vouchers for up to 2 Adults & 2 Children in The Landing Restaurant, One Complimentary Culture Pass Grand Rapids, Complimentary Late Check out up to 1:00 pm. Weekdays $112.50 / Weekends $139
- Booking Method
- Call Hotel Directly
- Booking Code
- CulturePassWeekday
- Dates Unavailable
- 12-31-2012
Culture Pass
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
Sleep Inn & Suites
Book your Culture Pass GR package today and receive a FREE Culture Pass when you check in to your hotel.
- Booking Method
- Call Hotel Directly
Grand Rapids Culture Package
October 01, 2012 – September 30, 2013
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Rapids Airport
Choose this package and experience some of Grand Rapids Culture. Your package includes your choice of two tickets to Grand Rapids Art Museum, two tickets to Grand Rapids Public Museum, or two tickets to Frederick Meijer Gardens. You will also receive a free culture pass giving you discounts and special offers to many West Michigan arts and cultural organizations.
- Booking Method
- Visit Their Website
- Booking Code
- Select the Grand Rapids Culture Pass under Packages
