ArtPrize Partners With Switch for STEAM Educational Experience

ArtPrize has announced a new partnership with Switch, the operator of SUPERNAP Grand Rapids at the Switch Pyramid, that will bring an interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) educational experience to ArtPrize this fall.

The educational experience will be 19 days and hosted at ArtPrize HUB headquarters. STEAM Village will offer immersive technology and hands-on learning stations for students, families and ArtPrize visitors.

“We’re thrilled to work alongside Switch through their leadership-level investment to bolster educational programming at ArtPrize Eight,” said Christian Gaines, ArtPrize Executive Director.

The STEAM Village powered by Switch will transform the ArtPrize HUB soundstage into a learning lab, with experiential stations featuring Switch-funded Planet3 and Code.org software demonstrations, a virtual reality painting experience, tinkering stations, and Northwood Awakening.

“Art defines culture, inspires empathy, generates creative thinkers, and drives innovation. At ArtPrize, we support the STEAM approach to education—which includes art along with science, technology, engineering and math,” noted Becca Guyette, ArtPrize Education Manager.

“The partnership of Switch and ArtPrize creates the perfect environment for bringing our passion around STEAM educational opportunities to life through hands-on immersive experiences and truly capturing the blend of technology with the creativity of art,” shared Switch EVP of Strategy Adam Kramer.

The STEAM Village powered by Switch at the ArtPrize HUB will be open to the public daily from 11AM to 6PM throughout the 19-day event. School groups visiting the event will have early access to the space before it opens to the public each day.

ArtPrize Eight will run from September 21-October 9, 2016, in downtown Grand Rapids.