by Carol Henrichs

Created on: October 13, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

One idea was all it took to change the future of an all-American city from blight to bright.

When it looked like urban decay was beginning to creep into the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, one idea sparked a turn around. Today, the second largest city in the State of Michigan, Grand Rapids is one of the nation's most celebrated public art communities.

It all began with a vision and one piece of art

In 1967, Nancy Mulnix, Vice President of the Grand Rapids Art Museum Woman's Committee, learned that the two-year old National Endowment of the Arts, (NEA) was giving matching grants for its first 'Arts in Public Places Program.'

Two years later, Grand Rapids was unveiling its La Grand Vitesse, (which translates to the great swiftness,) a bright red, 42-ton, 43-foot high, modern art steel sculpture. It graces the Vandenberg Center, at what is now called Calder Plaza, in honor of Alexander Calder, the sculptor.

Grand Rapids earned the distinction of first recipient of public funds for a public art project. Since that time, there have been as many as 700 grants awarded as part of a $15 million public art project.

The heart of the city

La Grande Vitesse-fondly considered the heart of the city-both in location and attitude, is a landmark at the city center at Ottawa Street near Michigan, near City Hall. But the once-controversial sculpture also represents the heartbeat of the city, for which public art has been its inspiration, identity, and focus.

The public artworks in downtown Grand Rapids is so abundant that maps with various zones mark their locations. La Grande Vitesse is literally central in the city; it is in Zone 3.

Other works in Zone 3 with their locations include:

- Motu Viget, by Mark di Suivero-in Calder Plaza

- Floor Kite XIV, by Jasha Green-Lyon Street at the Grand Rapids Art Museum

- Fanned Arena, by Lila Katzen-Pearl Street at the Grand Rapids Art Museum

- An untitled piece that resembles a dissected Pyramid, by Joseph E. Kinnebrew IV-Calder Plaza at Ottawa between Michigan and Lyon

- Ecliptic, by Maya Lin-Rosa Park Circle

- Acrobat, by Joseph McDonnell-111 N. Division at the Atrium of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University

- Night Flight, by John W. Parker-Pearl Street at the Grand Rapids Art Museum

Both Zones 1 and 2 are west of Calder Plaza, and west of Monroe Street. Zone 1, along the west bank of the Grand River, contains 16 sculptures. Zone 2, along the east bank of the Grand River contains six sculptures.

Zone 4 is directly east of Calder Plaza, east of Division and north of Fulton streets. Ten sculptures are located there. Zone 5 is south of Calder Plaza, between Monroe and Division, and south of Fulton where two pieces of public art are located.

Zone 6 is located east of Division and south of Fulton, where four sculptures are located.

Additional public art can be seen in the metropolitan areas around the city center, as well as in the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, at 1000 E. Beltline NE, in the northeast part of the city. There, 150 sculptures are permanently affixed.

In addition to the outdoor public sculptures, the two-year old Grand Rapids Art Museum is located at 101 Monroe Center, NW. It includes 5,000 works of art including American and European 19th and 20th century paintings and sculptures.

Learn more about this author, Carol Henrichs.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.