Get a 3-day savings pass to area attractions for $24! Purchase your Culture Pass now!
Learn More ›Grand Rapids has long been a mecca for creators and admirers of art. In the 19th century, we were known as "Furniture City" for the artistry of our fine wood furniture.
In the 20th century, we made art an integral element of the city's identity, starting with the very first public project funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.
And in this century, we've revolutionized the global art scene with ArtPrize, the world's richest, most radically open art competition.
Grand Rapids is also home to one of the world's 100 most visited art museums, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one of the Top 30 Must-See Museums on the planet.
Get a 3-day savings pass to area attractions for $24! Purchase your Culture Pass now!
Learn More ›This walking tour will show you art around virtually every corner in...
Art from around the world pops up in every inch of downtown, and it’s all...
Grand Rapids is home to three top-notch art institutions.
Outdoor art is inspired with sculptures, murals and architecture throughout...
Outdoor walls of art, former ArtPrize entries, commissioned work - all make...
Local artists ply their trade and sell their work in distinct creative hubs...
Concerts, musicals, symphony, opera and festivals.
Grand Rapids’ passion for creative expression extends to the stage.
Grand Rapids also hosts a number of annual festivals beyond ArtPrize, showcasing all manner of art:
Grand Rapids is the center of the office furniture industry, which marries design and commerce. Local companies including Steelcase, Haworth and Herman Miller shape the future of the global workplace.
Downtown's Kendall College of Art & Design is a nationally prominent school offering a broad range of creative degrees, including furniture design, metals & jewelry design, digital media and fashion studies. Stop by to see student art, displayed throughout Kendall's public spaces. Non-professional artists can learn tips and techniques at Grand Rapids Art Museum, Brush Studio and Wine & Canvas.
Location: Broadway Grand Rapids
Location: Broadway Grand Rapids
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an iconic tourist destination in Grand Rapids. When springtime hits, people flutter to Meijer Gardens to see the largest temporary butterfly exhibit in the
The gift shops in Grand Rapids’ local attractions offer one-of-a-kind items perfect for unique gift giving all year round. If you’re on a tight schedule and don’t have time to tour local attractions
The Game of Life was hands down my favorite board game to play growing up, I even bought myself the newest version to add to my stash of games during quarantine. Now imagine the joy when my good
When ArtPrize launched in 2009, I was skeptical. I’d never heard of anything like it (because there isn’t anything quite like it) and couldn’t conceive of the entire concept. Nonetheless, I picked up
Fall is typically when downtown Grand Rapids transforms into an arts epicenter during ArtPrize. People flock to West Michigan from all over the world to compete in or simply experience the
As one of the top travel destinations to visit in the nation, Grand Rapids’ attractions are endless. Whether you’re an animal lover, history buff, art connoisseur, or theater fanatic, Grand Rapids has
With COVID-19 putting a halt to many pride celebrations around the world, Grand Rapids included, you may be looking for creative ways to celebrate June as Pride Month. Grand Rapids is home to many
The holiday season is the perfect time to round up the family and plan some fun activities around town. Grand Rapids has a variety of interesting activities that family members of all ages will enjoy.
Art is an integral part of Grand Rapids’ history. Today, our thriving art scene includes intimate galleries like LaFontsee Galleries, as well as bigger venues like the Grand Rapids Art Museum. We’re
The Vamonde app and website, contains content to help users experience the cities they visit like a local. Each city’s stories, written by local experts and influencers, include “must-see” spots and
Locals know that fall is a beautiful time of year in West Michigan, with the trees flaunting their brilliant colors as we experience cooler temperatures. The season is also a popular time for locals
This fall, from September 7 – October 27, Grand Rapids welcomes a brand-new multi-site public art exhibition, Project 1: Crossed Lines , which comes from the minds behind the now biennial art
One of the many wonderful things about Grand Rapids is that when summer gives way to fall, you can truly feel and see it. As the seasons change, so do the events and activities the city has to offer.
What do Grand Rapids and Washington D.C. have in common? They are both home to outdoor sculptural works by world-renowned artist Maya Lin. Lin was relatively unknown at the age of 21 when her design
Vinyl is back! In 2018, almost 10 million vinyl records were sold in the United States. With 2018’s double-digit sales growth, according to The Verge, the vinyl revival continues. Grand Rapids alone
A sure sign that summer has arrived in Grand Rapids is the annual three-day Festival of the Arts (commonly called Festival), which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The festivities kick off
Summer festivals in West Michigan are the perfect way to enjoy your favorite things or discover something new. From June through September, Grand Rapids offers many affordable, family-friendly
After 10 years of the annual art competition, ArtPrize® will now move to a biennial competition. This means the next ArtPrize competition will take place in Grand Rapids in 2020: September 16-October
Spring break and summer vacation are both great reasons to plan a family trip to a new city. With so many exciting possibilities, however, choosing which activities to do can become overwhelming. If
Did you know that you can attend world-class Broadway performances right here in Grand Rapids? Why travel to big cities such as New York City or Los Angeles to see top Broadway performers when
The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) continues their dedication to artist equity and showing diverse artists with their first new exhibit of 2019, Warm Water: New Works by Charles Edward
Muhammad Ali towers victoriously over the unconscious body of Sonny Liston after a first round knockout on May 25, 1965. Serena Williams focusing intensely as she strains to connect her racket with a
Within the past two years, six galleries have opened in the Grand Rapids area. Each are finding new ways to support their missions and build appreciation for the arts. Learn more about them here:
There’s possibly no greater cultural tradition for the holidays than seeing The Nutcracker with a talented ballet company. Luckily, the Grand Rapids Ballet is Michigan’s only professional ballet
Opera Grand Rapids Artistic Director, Maestro James Meena, is bringing international opera stars to the local opera stage. Opera Grand Rapids attendees can experience big-stage talent, without the
ArtPrize10 will fill the streets of Grand Rapids from September 19 to October 7, 2018, but there are other incredible festivals that take place during the same time! From music, beer, and poetry
While most folks in West Michigan are gearing up for summer, a dedicated group of people have been working hard to prepare for ArtPrize 10, which will take place September 19 to October 7, 2018. After
The weather isn’t the only thing to heat up during the summer. As the temperatures begin to increase, Grand Rapids’ art scene also heats up with a surge in art opportunities for locals and visitors
Mid-sized cities, such as Grand Rapids, are garnering the interest of important artists to make room for new “art playgrounds” throughout the nation. Fact: In March 2018, Art Newspaper listed Grand
Film is a powerful medium. It holds the potential to enchant viewers by bringing stories to life through dynamic visuals, engrossing sounds, imaginative sets, and thoughtfully-costumed actors. Grand
The Great Lakes are a marvel to almost every Michigander, but, there’s something dark in the water - at least that’s part of the story in the latest exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM).
It’s no secret that Grand Rapids is a pretty great place, whether you’re looking to buy a house, sample great microbrews, or explore the arts. A strong economy and relatively low costs of living have
In June, five pieces of locally-inspired art were selected as winners from more than 20 submissions in this year’s Art Outdoor Project, held in partnership with the UICA. The Art Outdoor Project
ArtPrize® Eight, the “radically open international art competition” returns to Grand Rapids September 21 – October 9, and continues to make art accessible to all. This year, Experience Grand Rapids
More than 20 artists submitted entries to this year’s Art Outdoor Project, held in partnership with the UICA. Five of those artists were subsequently selected to have their artwork featured on a
The Art Outdoor Project, this year held in partnership with the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, encourages artists to submit work that represents Grand Rapids in a way that’s meaningful to
Some say art is bigger than life and the five selected artists of the Experience Grand Rapids Art Outdoor Project might agree. The recently selected artists will have their work displayed on
Opera, fashion, and beer-it’s a thing! At least in the upcoming Opera Grand Rapids production The Student Prince, with costume designs created by Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State
Grand Rapids is rich in both art and natural beauty, and nowhere is that more evident than at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Watch our new video series to find out more about the new
Just because the temperatures are dropping, doesn’t mean the people of Grand Rapids are hunkering down and staying home. We like to be involved and Grand Rapids gives us plenty of options, regardless of the weather. Over the next few weeks, we’ll bring you news on what’s happening around town during the holiday season,…
Everyone has heard about how Grand Rapids is Furniture City, the home of Amway and Meijer, and the land of cyclopean church buildings. However, quite a diverse mix of attractions has been added to
"I go to see it as an art show," says Terri Watson of the national American Quilters Society Show and Contest, whose next event will be held at the DeVos Center in downtown Grand Rapids from August 22
Our Visitor's Guide features 90 colorful pages of don't-leave-home-without-it information on attractions, activities, lodging and more. Flip through the online guide or request your FREE copy by mail.