ArtPrize was started in 2009. This art competiton was the creation of Amway heir Rick DeVos.

ArtPrize was started as a art competition without any selection committees or curators. In the first year of ArtPrize any site in the downtown area of Grand Rapids could be listed as a venue for the competition. Also, there was an open call to all artists to compete in the ArtPrize competition. All the winners of the cash prizes awarded at the end of the competition would be determined by popular vote. All voting was to be conducted via the internet or on the mobile devices of the public. On the opening day of ArtPrize on September 29th, 2009 there were over 159 venues that opened their spaces to public display. In this first year 1,262 artists submitted their work in the competition. These artists came from over 41 states and 14 countries.

Since the inaugural year ArtPrize has grown in size and stature. From 2009-2012 over 4,557 artists have participated in ArtPrize. 515 venues in Grand Rapids have shown the works of these artists. Over $1,428,000.00 has been awarded to the winning artists for their work. 122,748 people have voted in all three years of this activity. Finally, it has been estimated that over 1 million visitors have come to Grand Rapids to view for themselves the art that is on display.