ArtPrize short about 500 volunteers

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - ArtPrize needs your help. The world's largest art competition has only about half of the volunteers it needs -- and time is running out before this year's event begins.

More than 1,500 artists have entered to display their entries at 162 venues across 3 square miles in downtown Grand Rapids Sept. 19 through Oct. 7.

Total prize money is $560,000. The Top 10 winners will receive cash prizes, with the first-place winner taking home $200,000. The public votes for the winners using mobile devices and the Internet.

ArtPrize 2012 needs about 1,000 volunteers to put the event on, but it currently has only about 500.

Volunteer registration was originally supposed to close Aug. 10, but that deadline has been extended because so many more are needed.

An ArtPrize official told 24 Hour News 8 on Monday that volunteers -- also called "wayfinders" -- are crucial to helping people get around the city during the big event.

"We're announcing our Top 10 a good handful of days later than we usually do," said ArtPrize event producer Noddea Skidmore. "We have more days during the first round of voting, which means we have a need more wayfinders, because there is a need for more people to see art during the first round of voting."

People interested in volunteering can go to a kickoff rally Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 55 Campau Circle. The event is on the fifth floor. You can also register and get more information on the ArtPrize website by clicking on the "Get Involved" section.

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Online:

ArtPrize.org

Below is the location of the kickoff rally --

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