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ArtPrize Dallas is canceled due to funding difficulties

Posted at 11:23 PM, Oct 29, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-29 23:23:24-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — ArtPrize Dallas, scheduled to debut in 2016, has been canceled. ArtPrize organizers confirmed that fact to FOX 17 NEWS late Thursday night. Plans called for making the announcement Friday morning, however, the information was leaked out of Texas on Thursday evening.

“ArtPrize Dallas – a Dallas-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization – has withdrawn their bid to host the international art competition,” said a release. The statement said there wasn’t enough time to raise the money to put on the Texas event.

“We made tremendous progress in this effort,” said ArtPrize Dallas Executive Director Ariel Saldivar in the statement, “and we truly believe that one day our city will be ready for such an inclusive and unique undertaking.”

Dallas arts and cultural leaders and leaders from across the state all grappled with the concept of a radically open public art competition. While the city of Dallas was willing to host the event, the funding ultimately did not materialize.

“ArtPrize likes to take risks” said ArtPrize Grand Rapids Executive Director Christian Gaines. “Our goal with the ArtPrize Cities program has always been to strengthen and expand the network of artists that will ultimately show at ArtPrize Grand Rapids, “For now, we won’t be able to see how ArtPrize Dallas might have served that goal. We are a better organization having attempted it.