Plan an art getaway—right in your own backyard
Whether you’re a local planning a staycation or a visitor wanting to explore the the home to ArtPrize, Grand Rapids is a great “art weekender” city all year long.
Sometimes, you just need a weekend away. Might we suggest an escape to Grand Rapids for an “art weekender” immersed in the arts—with a Culture Pass from Experience GR to stretch your budget for even more of the good stuff.
There’s a misconception about the arts and summertime, that things slow down in the culture arena as the weather heats up. Maybe that’s the case in other places, but in Grand Rapids, MI, the opportunities to experience the arts just heats up, making it a great place for a quick summer getaway weekend focused on taking in some high quality art and culture.
Along with free outdoor concerts nearly every day of the week, some even along the Grand River and other beautiful locations within the city, there are two full museums dedicated to art, not to mention one of the most highly recognized sculpture gardens in the country. Circle Theatre’s season actually kicks into high gear during the summer months—this community theatre is known for its professional-class productions, so take a look at the options throughout the summer.
As anyone who’s planned a family vacation can tell you, even a weekend getaway has a budget. Grand Rapids has plenty of ways to experience the arts on a tight budget, and the Culture Pass helps stretch that budget even further, with a three day pass for just $24 for free admission to seven different museums and cultural institutions, plus great discounts for tickets at many other locations.
So you’ve got the budget tip, you’ve got the location, but how will you ever narrow it down to a weekend’s worth of the best arts in the area? We’ve got a few ideas.
ART + GARDENS = PARADISE AT MEIJER GARDENS
Wanting to get in a little summer stroll? Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has a world-class sculpture garden that make the nearly two miles of pathways throughout the stunning work go by quickly, distracted by the natural and artist-made beauty all around you. While you’re there don’t miss the Japanese Garden, children’s garden, and indoor horticultural and sculptural features as well.
Indoors, there’s also a gorgeously curated gallery that’s hosted many famous artists, from Ai Weiwei to Jim Dine. This summer is no exception, with leading contemporary sculptor Masayuki Koorida taking over the galleries. Koorida is well known in Asia and Europe, but Meijer Gardens has earned the honor of being one of the artist’s first exhibition opportunities in the United States.
YOUR DOWNTOWN ART TOUR
Downtown Grand Rapids has a world of art, both in museums and in outdoor public art, all in an easy walk from each other as well. Start at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, right in the center of the city. Their full exhibition schedule this summer includes a return of Anila Quayyum Agha’s stunning “Intersections,” the only ArtPrize work to garner the grand prize from both public votes and art world jurors alike. Don’t forget to check out what they’ve got going on Saturday afternoons for family hands-on activities.
From there, step outside and head north to Calder Plaza, where you’ll find a massive red sculpture by Alexander Calder, the first public art piece funded by the NEA’s then-new public art initiative. Across the street is “Split Ring,” and around the corner is “Motu Viget,” known to locals as “the giant tire swing.” From there, walk over towards the river and cross to Ah Nab Awen Park, where you’ll find “Lorrie’s Button” by artist Hy Zelkowitz, winner of a 1976 playground sculpture competition, which is literally a giant red button that makes a great photoshoot with the kids as they poke their adorable heads up through the button holes. While there, if you’re in the mood for a little history break from all your art-ing, you can stop into the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the most highly attended Presidential museum in the country.
But back to the art! Wander along the river to cross the Blue Bridge (can’t miss it—it’s blue!), and just a few blocks away at Fulton and Division you’ll find yourself at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA). Now, of course, you can find galleries full of art there. This summer you’ll find the official Pantone Color of the Year exhibit, including an indoor mural (95 feet long!) created by Instagram-famous Heather Day and a stunning exhibit of new photography from Bangladesh.
But don’t miss UICA’s film theater, providing a chance to rest those feet after your wander around downtown on your art hunt and a chance to see some of the best films being created today. Until June 14, for example, there’s a documentary film about famous NYC artist Jean Michel-Basquiat playing.
EXPLORE THE AVENUE TO DISCOVER THE CITY’S WORKING ARTISTS
If you’re lucky enough to be in Grand Rapids on the first full weekend of a summer month, you can also take in First Fridays, when the Avenue for the Arts comes alive with art openings, shop specials, and more. The Avenue starts right at the UICA, who has a free hands-on activity for visitors each First Friday, and spans multiple city blocks landing at fan favorite final stops like 337 Project Space, an experimental gallery only open on First Fridays, and Light Gallery + Studio, a full-time gallery that is becoming well known for their workshops, with everything from weaving to encaustic to batik silk dying classes, most designed for beginners. In fact, if you missed First Fridays, you’ll want to check out what they’ve got happening while you’re in town.
These are just a few ideas for those of you who plan ahead—but a perusal of the Sunday Paper on culturedGR gives those last-minute planners a weekly rundown resource. A perusal of past weeks’ issues will show that in Grand Rapids, there’s always enough in the arts to keep your days packed with beauty and plenty of incredible arts experiences to explore.
A version of this article was originally posted on the Experience Grand Rapids blog, providing the Insider Experience for visitors to our community.
