Contact: Barbara Paneral
Legacy Trust, 616.454.2852
or
Michele Suchovsky, Executive Director
VSA, 616-885-5866
Legacy Trust & VSA arts of Michigan-Grand Rapids Announce Competition for Adults with Disabilities Statewide Competition Hopes to Encourage Participation in ArtPrize 2010
Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 8, 2010 – Legacy Trust and VSA arts of Michigan-Grand Rapids have announced a statewide art competition aimed at opening the door for adult artists with disabilities to expand their audience.
The Legacy Trust Award Collection will offer cash prizes to the top three popular vote getters. The winning artists will also be registered in ArtPrize 2010 and will work with Legacy Trust and VSA to secure appropriate venues and promote their submissions. Submissions for the competition, which is being co-sponsored by Legacy Trust and VSA, will be accepted now through May 12.
“Legacy Trust and VSA had been working for some time on an idea to establish an art competition for adults with disabilities,” said William Walker, CEO of Legacy Trust. “The phenomenon of ArtPrize 2009 emerged during the planning phase and, as we began discussing ways to enhance our idea, we felt that engaging in the dialogue created by ArtPrize would create even greater opportunities for participation.
“Our goal is to create visibility and accessibility for artists with disabilities. We are extremely pleased to partner with VSA to establish the Legacy Trust Award Collection.”
Adult artists with disabilities are encouraged to submit their paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and other artworks to the Legacy Trust Award Collection in care of VSA. A public vote will determine the top three winning submissions during an artists’ reception May 13. The reception is open to the public and each winner will receive a $500 cash award.
Additionally, the winning art will be entered individually in ArtPrize 2010 as the Legacy Trust Award Collection. All entry fees and promotion expenses will be paid by VSA and Legacy Trust,who will secure venue space at ArtPrize 2010 for the winning artists.
“When Legacy Trust approached us about shining a spotlight on some very talented but often underrepresented artists in our state, we were thrilled to join in,” said VSA Executive Director Michele Suchovsky. “This competition is a perfect way to help broaden the reach of artists with disabilities and to reveal new artistic talent to the community. To be able to tie in to ArtPrize to create a national stage for that talent is an amazing opportunity.”
Following is a list of guidelines for submitting artwork:
• All participating artists must be at least 18 years of age by May 3 and a Michigan resident
• Artwork must be original, must be attributable to the applicant artists and have been completed within three years prior to September 22, 2010
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• All artwork is subject to the “Official Rules for Artists – ArtPrize.” These official rules can be found on the ArtPrize website at www.artprize.org and in the official rules for the competition, which are described fully in the Legacy Trust Award Collection Call for Art, http://j.mp/c1MbLB.
• The top three artists who receive the award will be entered into ArtPrize 2010 as a Legacy Trust Collection Awards winner
• The top three artists will retain ownership and all rights to their artwork, subject to the rules and restrictions of ArtPrize 2010. The artists agree to make themselves and their artwork available to VSA, Legacy Trust and other partnering agencies and sponsors prior to and during ArtPrize for promotions and marketing efforts
• Winning artists agree that if their submission wins any ArtPrize award, they will donate 25 percent of any award to VSA to create a special Legacy Trust Endowment Fund to continue arts programs for people with disabilities in the greater Grand Rapids area
• Winning artists will be notified by VSA no later than May 24 and will be entered into ArtPrize 2010. There are no restrictions on other artists, who are not part of the Collection, from entering ArtPrize on their own.
“ArtPrize has done an exceptional job of encouraging community organizations such as Legacy Trust and VSA to get involved,” Walker said. “The Legacy Trust Award Collection is our chance to participate and to help give people with disabilities more opportunities to express themselves through their art.”
ArtPrize, an international art competition in Grand Rapids decided solely on a public vote, returns to Grand Rapids September 22-October 10 after its exceptional debut in 2009. Part arts festival and part social dialogue, Art Prize attracted submissions from more than 1,200 artists around the globe – and tens of thousands of supporters from around the globe.
To be considered for the Legacy Trust Award Collection, artists must submit a registration form to VSA by Monday, May 3. Artwork must be delivered to VSA in Grand Rapids by 11 a.m. Thursday, May 13 for inclusion in the Voting Artists’ Show and Reception.
For more information or to request an artist’s application, contact Michele Suchovsky at 616.885.5866 or vsagr@iserv.net.
About Legacy Trust
Legacy Trust is an independent, locally owned, Michigan-chartered bank that specializes in providing investment and wealth-management services to individuals, families and foundations in West Michigan. Legacy Trust delivers highly customized financial and investment solutions tailored to meet the unique situation of each family. For more information, visit us at www.legacygr.com.
About VSA arts of Michigan-Grand Rapids Inc.
VSA arts of Michigan–Grand Rapids promotes creative power in people with disabilities by providing access to and opportunities in the arts. We have been serving the children, youth and adults with disabilities in West Michigan since 1986. VSA arts of Michigan-Grand Rapids is a district affiliate of VSA arts of Michigan, which recognizes 10 district affiliates throughout the state of Michigan. Our parent organization, VSA arts International, was founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith. VSA arts International is an organization whose vision is to create a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. VSA arts is affiliated with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the U. S. Congress has recognized VSA as the nation’s coordinating agency for arts programs for people with disabilities. Today, VSA has affiliates in 49 states and more than 60 countries worldwide.
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