Art in Grand Rapids 

Much of the art in and around Grand Rapids is free and accessible to all. From La Grande Vitesse, the bright-red, 42-ton, 43-ft. tall Alexander Calder Sculpture that has come to symbolize the city’s creative spirit, to dazzling outdoor murals, painted ticket booths, “Rad Women” electrical boxes and bronze statues of local community legends, there are hundreds of dazzling art pieces on public display around town.

ArtPrize fills downtown Grand Rapids with more than 1,000 works of art from international artists each fall, and it’s all free to see. Some of these creations remain in Grand Rapids as permanent installations.

World of Winter, America’s largest winter festival, delights visitors of all ages with large-scale interactive art pieces and intricate ice sculptures situated around downtown GR for public viewing, every January-March.

Festival of the Arts is a free three-day street party highlighting visual, performing and culinary arts each June. It was first held in 1970, inspired by the 1969 installation of La Grande Vitesse.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum offers free admission on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, giving everyone the opportunity to tour the Museum’s vast permanent collection as well as visiting art exhibitions. The Art Museum also participates in Culture Pass GR, which offers greatly reduced admission to top local attractions.

Art has been an integral part of the culture of Grand Rapids since the First Peoples settled along downtown’s Grand River. Hundreds of artifacts representing Native American decorative arts, clothing, weapons and tools are displayed in the Grand Rapids Public Museum, which also invites visitors to explore the city’s past as “America’s Furniture City,” renowned for crafting fine wood furniture.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives both incorporate art as a means of deepening our understanding of historic eras and contemporary times.

John Ball Zoo hosts outdoor exhibits showcasing art and culture each year in addition to  caring for 2,000+ animals. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park explores global cultures through horticultural displays – including a Michigan Farm Garden, Japanese Garden and English Garden – and sculptures by international masters of the form.

Cultural festivals and celebrations throughout the year highlight the art, food, music, dance and creative traditions of diverse communities.

Art has always been a means of interpreting, challenging and celebrating history. The symbolic Native American burial mounds, Spirit of Solidarity Labor Monument, Rosa Parks statue and Rainbow Road mural in downtown GR are examples of local pieces that do just that.

Other ways to explore the intersection of art and history: Visit Heritage Hill, one of the nation’s largest urban historic districts, which encompasses 1,300 buildings dating back to 1844. Tour the Meyer May House, an impeccably restored 1908 Frank Lloyd Wright design. Click here for more historic sites for the history buff.

The performing arts are also well represented in Grand Rapids, with professional ballet, opera, symphony and theatre companies leading the way. There are more than 100 live-music venues in and around the city, from bars and coffeehouses to Van Andel Arena, which presents the nation’s biggest superstars in concert. A lively nightlife scene includes everything from comedy clubs to professional sporting events.

Downtown's Kendall College of Art & Design is a nationally prominent school offering a broad range of creative degrees, including product design, digital art and design, interior design, fashion studies, and more. 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. 

The Business 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.