Trip Planner 2017-18 Trip Planner For Student Travel | Page 37

“Grand Rapids is a great destination for tour operators because it is home to many unique, group-friendly attractions,” says Stephanie Kotschevar, public relations manager of Experience Grand Rapids. The Michigan city’s annual ArtPrize event has helped it earn a spate of positive press. The New York Times included Grand Rapids on its list of 52 places to visit in 2016. ArtPrize is an international art competition that will bring an estimated 400,000 people to Grand Rapids over its 2017 run, Sept. 20–Oct. 8. Works of art are displayed at more than 160 venues across the city, including museums, galleries, bars, hotels, parks, office buildings and exterior walls. Public votes and professional juries determine the winners of more than $500,000 in prize money. “During ArtPrize the city becomes a blank canvas for participating artists,” says Kotschevar. “It’s hard to find a place art hasn’t touched the city during this time.” “We are partnering with 16 local organizations to offer free, fun and enriching programing for students pre-K through 12th grade,” says Amber Oudsema, education coordinator for ArtPrize. Programs are typically 60–90 minutes and include an artist discussion, tour or take- away activity. “Registration via Eventbrite will open Aug. 28 and go through Sept. 12,” says Oudsema. A limited number of grants to cover some transportation costs also are available. “Educators should keep an eye on our website, artprize.org/learn, to look for those opportunities.” To learn more about ArtPrize and other Grand Rapids attractions, contact Dave Nitkiewicz, specialty markets sales manager for Experience Grand Rapids, at [email protected] or go to experiencegr.com. During Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize festival, student groups from pre-K to 12th grade can participate in guided tours and artist discussions. DISCOVER THE SECRETS BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND MEET A ROCKETTE ® ! STAGE DOOR TOURS RUN DAILY STARTING AT 9:30AM 1260 6 TH AVENUE AT 50 TH STREET VISIT: StageDoorTour.com GO TO: Radio City Music Hall ® ©2017 MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved. NTAonline.com 35 GRAND RAPIDS’ ARTPRIZE IS A WINNER