Thank you for featuring ArtPrize on the show. I was a bit skeptical about the "contest" when it was first announced, but in the midst of it (we're 5 days in and I've been downtown viewing art each day so far) I'm happy to report that young Mr. DeVos's vision seems to be working out beautifully. Grand Rapids has literally been flooded with art and people talking about art. We're talking to each other and enjoying the sense of community that's come from ArtPrize. While there may be cash prizes on the line for the winning artists, I believe we are all winners.

As a follow up to the above comment: Simply “Google” the Presenting Sponsor the “Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation” and see its “Guidelines for Funding”:

“The mission of the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation is to serve as faithful stewards of God’s blessings through a focus on 1) Christian Evangelism through church building, family building, and youth programming; 2) Education through programs that provide support for parental choices in determining where their elementary and secondary school-aged children attend school; 3) Public Policy that results in a freer, more virtuous, more prosperous society. The Foundation does not allocate funds to individuals, for-profit organizations, or candidates for political office.” THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST MENTIONED IN YOUR STORY.

Kurt – The DEVOS family? I'm shocked that you failed to notice (and at least inquire) about your guest Rick DeVos’ (III?), notorious and infamous family “inheritance”. I don’t follow this stuff that closely but my ear’s perked up when I heard “Amway.” While Studio 360 is primarily an art show, the DeVos family (Rick DeVos Jr.) helped found and funds FOCUS ON THE FAMILY. Rick’s uncle is Erik Prince of Backwater fame. An art festival using money from a trust fund established by one of the most prominent conservative/evangelical fortunes made by a notorious multi-level marketing business scam, should have at least been noted. I’d like to know the sponsor’s views on politics and art. I love that ArtPrize – a clever branding (a la Xe or Alticor or Quixtar). I’m all for third generation turnaround stories (the Rockefeller and the Ford foundation both do important work) – but the DeVos family has not had that middle transitional generation. PLEASE FOLLOW UP. Promoting Grand Rapids and art are good in a vacuum, but I’m skeptical of the most notorious Christian family business fortunes created from a notorious multi-level marketing scheme using the internet to promote “art” on social media and Studio 360!