GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Festival of the Arts will bring its “Plein Air” event to downtown Grand Rapids this summer after many festival activities were put on hold because of the pandemic, according to a news release Thursday.
It’ll take place June 4-6.
“En plein air” is French for “outdoors,” and Festival of the Arts plans to expand the original concept to include musicians and landscape artists within designated social zone and throughout downtown Grand Rapids.
Festivalgoers will be encouraged to purchase food and drinks from local restaurants and enjoy them in social zones, where live art and musical performances will be taking place throughout the weekend.
“We hope that PLEIN AIR will give the community a chance to see musicians playing and artists working to capture the urban landscape, all while maintaining a safe social distance,” said David Abbott, executive director for Festival of the Arts.
Individual instrumentalists will be hired to perform during Plein Air weekend. Applications for artists, musicians and the virtual Regional Arts Exhibition will open in March.
The exhibition will award more than $10,000 to outstanding local artists.
In addition, Festival’s Calder Plaza performance stage and artisan village will be rescheduled for Sept. 17-19, which is also the first weekend of ArtPrize.
Details for the live performance stage are being reviewed with the City of Grand Rapids and the Kent County Health Department.
