Stephen Halko serves as Dean of the Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University. In addition to holding a BFA and an MFA, he has been in Grand Rapids for every ArtPrize since it began. 
Halko also serves on the ArtPrize steering committee. That experience, and the time he has spent in Grand Rapids gives him a unique perspective on the event as an insider who came from the outside. 

Halko is fond of saying, "I am not from Grand Rapids but I got here as soon as I could." 

His artist statement on his personal website says:

No one can be certain of too many things. 
I am certain my work means something. 
I am equally certain I do not know what it is. 

Much of that sentiment is reflected in this conversation. 

Mark Washington is the City Manager for the City of Grand Rapids. Mark is also a former ArtPrize artist and in his previous role as Assistant City Manager in Austin Texas he was heavily involved in the organization of South By Southwest. 

Mark explains the role of the City of GR as well as the need to support artists. This is a fascinating conversation with one of the biggest ArtPrize champions you are likely to hear from. 

Birgit Klohs is the former CEO of the Right Place. She has served on numerous boards and committees. She has "been in the room" for almost every major event or decision that has impacted Grand Rapids in the last 20 plus years. 

Now that she has "rewired, not retired," Birgit remains one of the most influential faces of the business community in the West Michigan Region. Her new role as the co-founder and executive chair of the New Community Transformation Fund is already making waves in the Grand Rapids business community. 

Here is what a lot of people do not know about Birgit, though. She is a huge fan of art and combined with her business background she make perhaps the ultimate source on the economic impact of ArtPrize. 

Eddie Tadlock is the Assistant General Manager for ASM Global, the company that manages DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Throughout the history of ArtPrize, it has been his job to select the art that is displayed in the building. He has a history of picking winners. 

Eddie is a huge art fan, a jazz aficionado, and is well traveled. He also shares a love of this City and ArtPrize. Eddie talks about the past, present and future of ArtPrize in this episode and he knows what he is talking about. 

Plus he has a killer hat!

A big thanks you to WOOD TV 8 for allowing us to use file footage in this episode. 

Richard App has been involved with every ArtPrize since it began. 
He was part of the team that brought us Nessie, a gallery owner, a fine art photographer and a retail retention specialist for the City of Grand Rapids. 

Today he sits on the ArtPrize steering committee. You could search form Kentwood to Rockford and not find anyone as passionate about the success of ArtPrize and you'll find no one who cares more about Grand Rapids. 

This conversation could have gone on forever except Richard is always busy.

I am grateful that he was able to take the time to chat and I am honored to call him a friend. 

The open of the Official ArtPrize Limited Series Podcast