GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Creston wants a bigger slice of ArtPrize. Business leaders in the Grand Rapids neighborhood north of downtown are looking for ways to sign up more local shops as venues for next year’s competition.
The North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority is leading the effort after this fall brought more foot traffic to Creston-area stores during the art event.
One venue, the 2RST shop, has hosted art for three years. Its owner said the 2026 run gave him his best sales week ever and brought in many customers who were not regulars. The owner of Kingma’s Market pointed out the neighborhood sits less than 10 minutes from the downtown core.
Ideas on the table include helping businesses pay some of the registration and hosting costs and holding an information session that explains what it takes to take part. No decisions have been made.
This year’s competition ran Sept. 18 through Oct. 3, after a preview week for local residents. Looking at entries is free, and ArtPrize, a nonprofit, relies on corporate, foundation, government and individual donors. Mobile GR also teamed up with the event this year on walking and transit routes between venues.
Filed under: Grand Rapids MI Neighborhood News
