Tagged: concerts

The Chamber Music Society of the Lincoln Center in New York City is partnering with a music center in Grand Rapids.

The prestigious center in New York will produce at least three concerts at St. Cecilia Music Center beginning this year. St. Cecilia Music Center was created 130 year ago in downtown Grand Rapids.

“It really speaks well of Grand Rapids that someone of their caliber involved in the sorts of things that they’re involved in wanted to be here, wanted to work with our community and I think it’s really going to elevate Grand Rapids as a cultural center,” said Cathy Holbrook the center’s executive director.

Business owners who want to serve as a venue for ArtPrize this fall can now begin registering. The winner of the art competition is decided by the voting public who visit the event in downtown Grand Rapids. The top prize is $250,000.  

ArtPrize founder Rick DeVos says this year they’re opening the historic St. Cecilia Music Center to host more than two dozen performance pieces. They’re hoping to attract more musicians and dancers to enter the contest.

“ArtPrize has already been open to all these things. The difference is with St. Cecilia coming on we’re being a little more intentional about trying to create a very specific space for it and draw more attention to it.”

St. Cecilia Music Hall opened its doors in 1894. The classically styled gold trimmed music hall will welcome all sorts of performances during ArtPrize this year. The music hall will have listening stations to hear the contestants – in addition to the live performances.

“There have been dances and performance art pieces that have been a part of ArtPrize the first two years. And we see that continuing. We just wanted to continue to press the envelope.”

Artists can begin registering in four weeks. ArtPrize runs from late September through early October.