Yes, Festival Of The Arts Will Happen, Kind of…

COVID-19 wrecked so many plans, celebrations, events, businesses, etc., last year. It certainly is continuing this year as well. And, one of the Grand Rapids/West Michigan main stays in the arts scene, Festival, had to be cancelled. But not this year!

While 2021 still presents challenges for large community events, Festival of the Arts plans to celebrate all things art with the community in a slightly different way this June. Event organizers are excited to announce PLEIN AIR by Festival of the Arts, which will take place in downtown Grand Rapids June 4-6, 2021. (En plein air is French for “outdoors.”)

PLEIN AIR by Festival of the Arts expands the original plein air concept to include musicians and landscape artists within designated social zones and throughout downtown Grand Rapids. There still won't be the Festival tradition of area organizations food booths, but we have so many wonderful downtown restaurants that there will be plenty of food and drink, all within the social zones and around the entertainment all weekend!

Event organizers have been working closely with local health officials and the city to create an event that will be safe and enjoyable for the entire community

Individual instrumentalists will be hired to perform during Plein Air weekend. Want to perform? 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.

Festival’s iconic Calder performance stage and artisan village will be rescheduled for September 17-19, 2021, which is the first weekend of ArtPrize.