Missy Summers is the Executive Director of the GR Festival of the Arts. Until she was hired about 20 months ago, the festival was the largest all-volunteer organization maybe anywhere. Missy has a finance background and is working to ensure the festival continues for many years. Festival started in 1970 when Alexander Calder suggested having a party celebrating the recent installation of his sculpture, La Grande Vitesse. The sculpture has become the signature of Grand Rapids and the party continues annually. Calder himself created the logo for the festival on the back of a napkin.

 

The festival centers on performance art and international food. There are also art displays and chances to create your own art. Musical artists that got their start at Festival include Pop Evil, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Verve Pipe.

 

Some things have changed in recent years. The food was prepared and sold for many years by area non-profits. This provided between $20,000 and $75,000 for those organizations. However, since the pandemic, there have been fewer volunteers and the food is now a mix between non-profits, small business food startups, and food trucks. One of the challenges is to produce food fast enough for the quarter million people who attend. Festival itself has seen a decline in volunteers and some activities have been modified.

 

The GR Festival organization is looking to branch out and provide experiences beyond the weekend party. They offer mobile art that can be utilized. They are also looking to make contacts with organizations outside the immediate Grand Rapids area to offer similar experiences.