It’s exciting to watch ArtPrize grow each year. It’s exciting to show off Grand Rapids and while the crowds would drive me nuts after a while; the energy downtown is amazing.
It’s a little different with kids though. Maybe yours are the type that will sit through an artists’ reception. Or not touch when it says, “Don’t Touch”. How awesome for you. For those of you with kids like mine, I have created a:
Kids Guide To Art Prize
- It’s a great time to visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the Grand Rapids Public Museum, because admission is free during ArtPrize hours.
- Kevin Kameraad is going to be performing a TON during ArtPrize at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Featuring a brand new puppet (of himself!), and his sidekick Ollie Winston (made out of a big copper can), Kevin will be performing in a unique, vintage material, hand-made puppet theater. Daily showtimes are: 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:00pm, 5:30pm, and 7:00pm on September 21, EVERY DAY from September 21 to October 9.
- The Grand Rapids Art Museum has a program called “My Green City“ during ArtPrize, where an entire studio will be transformed into a city using green materials. Kids can learn how contemporary architects and artists use recycled materials for creating new structures while contributing to the Green City’s bridges, houses, street lamps, and landscape. Families will have the option to paint, draw, and build in this collaborative project for all ages. Program dates and hours are: September 23 5:00 – 7:30 pm, September 24 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, September 25 12:00 – 5:00 pm, September 30 5:00 – 7:30 pm, October 1 10:00 am – 7:00 pm,October 2 12:00 – 5:00 pm, October 7 5:00 – 7:30 pm, October 8 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, October 9 12:00 – 5:00 pm.
- The First United Methodist Church {207 East Fulton} is holding a Lot Party and kids can stop by and create a piece of art on October 1 at 12:30!
- Fountain Street Church is holding a Kids Art Event on Sunday, October 2 from 12:15 to 3:15.
- Kids can be an explorer of Grand Rapids Art & History at the Flat Iron Building at 100 Monroe NW with an interactive scavenger hunt. Adults and kids can tour the city by following an explorer’s map and collecting guide badges to be turned in for a prize. There will also be an explorer photo booth, and an opportunity to decorate bags for sack suppers for Kids’ Food Basket. Dates are September 30th, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and October 1st from 11:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Kids ArtFest will be October 2 from noon to 5:00 and looks like it is going to be FUN! It’s a free outdoor art festival hosted by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. The streets are closed and the parks are inhabited with artists, art stations, musicians, and street performers.
- I KNOW this is going to be awesome, because it’s a collaborative event from GRKids, MomColoredGlasses, West Michigan Parent’s Network, The Diaper Diaries, and me, BigBinder! Bring your kids down to create their own art; in the form of Artist Trading Cards. It’s part of an international movement and we’ll have all the supplies and directions. It’s free! Come and see us September 23, 24, 30, and October 1 and 2 from noon to 5:00 PM at Monument Park {across from the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum}.
Getting Around Town
Usually, Grand Rapids is not very traffic-y. But ArtPrize changes that; and if you’d rather take a bus, the ArtBus has it covered. You can park at Meijer stores and just hop on it, which is way better than driving all over town and eventually parking at Founders, then deciding that while you’re there you might as well go in for a beer or three, and trying to hold your kids’ hands while you navigate your way to whatever is going to be where the Steam Pig was. Er, I had a friend that did that… she said it was awful.
Other Resources
What part of ArtPrize is your family most excited about?
