The stunning news came today, ending an era that began in 1970 as the city’s first celebration of the arts. Get Festival’s official statement and reaction from festivalgoers.
A Grand Rapids Institution: Festival of the Arts has ceased operations and won’t take place in 2025. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Suddenly, Grand Rapids’ long-running Festival of the Arts is no more.
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Festival organizers announced today that after 55 years of “celebrating the arts,” the downtown festival was “ceasing operations effective immediately.”
The tradition which began in 1970 has filled downtown Grand Rapids with thousands of music and dance performances on multiple stages in early June, along with art displays and sales, but has experienced a variety of financial challenges as well as dependence on a shrinking army of volunteers over the years.
The decision comes after other Michigan music festivals — Faster Horses in Jackson County, Hoxeyville Music Festival and Earthwork Harvest Gathering in northern Michigan — either suspended operations after their 2024 events or have announced a hiatus for 2025.
Board member Melissa Bush said the difficult decision was made partly “based on declining engagement over the years. As you know, the spirit of festival was so much about the hundreds of volunteers that gave so passionately of their time and talents – together with individuals and organizations who supported it in numerous other ways along the way – to make this community-driven event happen.”
“During the past several years you may have noticed that some of the cornerstone activities and spaces were no longer a part of the event (Glue-In and Screenprinting, for example). The activities that were still there had limited hours. Extensive outreach efforts over the past several years just didn’t make up for the declining engagement in helping to pull it all together, and it was time to acknowledge that a decision needed to be made.
“Fifty-five years is an amazing run for all that Festival brought downtown and to the West Michigan community, and we are grateful to everyone who came out to support Festival during this remarkable run.”
Executive Director Missy Summers noted organizers are “extremely proud of what we have accomplished. You don’t put on an event the size of Festival without cooperation from the city of Grand Rapids, generosity of the community and tireless work from volunteers. While we are sad to say goodbye to Festival, it is heartwarming to see the impact it has had on our community.”
First inspired by the 1969 installation of Alexander Calder’s “La Grande Vitesse” sculpture, Festival aimed to “highlight all the arts in our area and provide access to everyone by making all performances and activities free.”
The statement added that numerous ethnic festivals continue to provide vibrancy downtown and that Festival “sunsets to new horizons being created each year in Grand Rapids.”
Many responded immediately on Facebook with sadness and disappointment.
“We will always have many happy memories from Festival both as a child and an adult,” wrote Lisa Karafa. “Thank you to the countless volunteers who ensured this event was successful year after year.”
Gerald D. Perry acknowledged that he’s “very disappointed by the decision. I’d rather have Festival every year than ArtPrize. … Don’t end something that has been a staple for GR for 55 years. I look forward to performing at Festival every year.”
Noted Sandra Van Loo Sikkel: “This makes me sad. I have been going to Festival since it began.”
Rising expenses and fundraising issues have plagued the organization in recent years, along with significant problems in maintaining and recruiting volunteers. Current board chair Eddie Tadlock said “financial constraints” played a part in Festival’s decline.
Rev Charles Preston Smith of the Grand Rapids band PotatoeBabies has played Festival 33 times, with the band’s 2024 set on Sunday standing as the final performance in Festival’s long history.
“My heart goes out to those hurting from this decision. My childhood, teen and young adult memories are filled with the excitement of the annual event,” he said.
“Like most Festival visitors, never knowing what goes on behind the scenes was part of the joy and mystique of the event. Over the years, learning what went into making Festival such a special event for everyone was eye-opening if not overwhelming. For most, it’s best to not know what it takes. Which is a catch 22 as making people aware is vital for support and survival of any event.
“I have to treat this much like the passing of a loved one and keep telling myself and others: I hope the joy of fond memories swiftly outshines the pain.”
Revisit past Local Spins coverage of Festival of the Arts.
Festival Tradition: Rev Charles Preston Smith & PotatoeBabies. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
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