Most festivals, galas, conventions, and the like had to be done virtually throughout 2020, including the Festival of the Arts. While 2021 still presents challenges for hosting large community events, Festival of the Arts plans to celebrate all kinds of art in downtown Grand Rapids with their new festival, En Plein Air.
En plein air is French for “outdoors.” Festival of the arts expands its original outdoor festival to include musicians and landscape artists as well as more traditional artists throughout the downtown area. Each of these artists will be designated to a specific social zone, where patrons can enjoy the sights and sounds of local art.
Event organizers have been working closely with local health officials and the City of Grand Rapids to create an event that will be safe and enjoyable for the entire community.
Applications for artists, musicians, and the virtual Regional Arts exhibition will open in March. The Regional Arts Exhibition will be coordinated virtually this year and available to view at festivalgr.org with more than $10,000 to be awarded to outstanding local artists.
The Festival’s iconic Calder Plaza performance stage and artisan village will be rescheduled for September 17-19, 2021, which is the first weekend of ArtPrize.
For more details, visit festivalgr.org.
