On 2006 the SMart Festival, Student Multimedia Art was created so that the creative minds of Grand Rapids will have a venue to gather around. Grand Rapids had a lively and diverse culture with the SMart Festival, Student Multimedia Art they had hoped that the tourist will also experience this. It also had a rich renaissance culture that is evident in their galleries, educational institutions, exhibit spaces and theaters structures.
By the collaboration, diversity and accessibility aspect of the SMart Festival it set then apart from the rest of the Art festival. The festival was a free, accessible and was not afraid to display work of arts that were accidentally discovered. The festival free spirited feeling is unmistakable when you attend their SMart Festival.
The SMart Festival invites students from different local colleges and universities to attend and to be a part the festival in making Grand Rapids the first contemporary new media festival in Michigan. Interested artist can submit their application, a brief 200 words describing you. To be included is the summary of your arts that you will submit together with the title and the date it was produced.
On April 1 to April 5, 2009 at the downtown area of Grand Rapids 50 Ionia Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 there will be a SMart Festival. The festival is sponsored by Open Concept Gallery and will be an all day event. The festival aims to promote the education and combination of conventional art and also the culture of the community.
The Open Concept Gallery encourages the discussion of art between the artist, audience and the institutions in the community. These discussions are held during the lectures, panel discussions, presentations and other activities they will hold to promote the education of contemporary art. That the contemporary art created will be incorporated in the communities daily lives.