INTRODUCING A NEW COLLABORATION WITH
ARTWINS ARIZONA!

Flagstaff Arts Council is happy to announce that we have begun talks with ArtWins Arizona to establish a major arts and cultural festival in Flagstaff to tentatively launch in 2023. FAC is seeking public input on the idea. To learn more and provide feedback, visit: flagartscouncil.org/festival

Drawing inspiration from the acclaimed ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, International Arts & Ideas Festival in New Haven, Connecticut, Aspen Ideas Festival, and more, the festival is proposed to be anchored by both an art competition and a speaker series. The ArtWins Arizona competition is proposed to award more than $300,000 in prizes and grants including $50,000 grand prizes. Depending on funder interest, prize values could be even higher. The festival will provide a regional and national platform for local artists, creatives, and thinkers as well as attract global participation.

Since 2019, a diverse group of nonprofit art, science, and culture stakeholders and nonprofits, led by Chris Verrill, Executive Director of Theatrikos Theatre Company, met to identify a signature event that energizes Flagstaff’s creative and collaborative spirit. Initially conceived as a festival showcasing Flagstaff’s performing and visual arts community, it was adopted in 2020 by Flagstaff Arts Council, the City’s cultural agency, to expand the event defining Flagstaff as one of the Southwest’s most creative cities.

In 2020, ArtWins Arizona approached Flagstaff Arts Council and the City’s Beautification and Public Art Commission for Flagstaff to be its chosen home for an international art competition based on ArtPrize Grand Rapids. FAC’s board of directors and the festival committee have been evaluating whether a major art competition is the best format for the future festival.

ArtWins Arizona is a group of Arizona arts leaders, as well as former employees of ArtPrize Grand Rapids. The ArtWins Arizona team has been working to create and deliver a major festival in Arizona, drawing inspiration from their experiences with ArtPrize.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

FLAGSTAFF ARTS COUNCIL & ARTWINS ARIZONA TEAM UP TO HOST PITCH NIGHT ARIZONA!

ArtWins Arizona and Flagstaff Arts Council are teaming up to host Pitch Night Arizona— a one-night event where an Arizona artist will leave with a $15,000 grant to create an ambitious outdoor installation in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids during the eleventh ArtPrize event this Fall, September 16 – October 3, 2021.

ArtPrize is one of the world’s largest art competitions. It is also the most attended public art event in the world, routinely attracting over 500,000 visitors. The Pitch Night Arizona winner will also become eligible to receive a portion of an additional $250,000 in cash prizes awarded by ArtPrize to participating artists at this year’s event.

After the conclusion of ArtPrize 2021, the winning outdoor installation will be installed in Flagstaff at a location to be determined by the artist, Flagstaff Arts Council and ArtWins Arizona.

The competition is open to all artists residing anywhere in Arizona.

Questions about Pitch Night Arizona should be directed to info@artwins.org

Entries should be submitted on or before June 13, 2021 here.

HOW IT WORKS

Arizona artists are invited to submit proposals for a featured outdoor installation at 50 Monroe, in Grand Rapids, Michigan at ArtPrize 2021. This featured location is reserved for the winning Arizona artist. Artists may make submissions for art in any medium. Five artists will be selected to give a five-minute presentation to a panel of six expert judges. The panel of judges will view all the presentations, then ask follow-up questions of the artists. The panel will select the winner, awarding the winning artist a $15,000 grant to realize their proposal at 50 Monroe during ArtPrize 2021. The Arizona winner will also be eligible to receive a portion of an additional $250,000 prize money awarded by ArtPrize. The Pitch Night finals event will be broadcast live online, with details to follow.

SUBMIT AN ENTRY TO PITCH NIGHT ARIZONA