More than five years ago, the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) moved to its current building and now, the northwest corner is about to get a makeover. The glass-enclosed area originally designed to be a café is proposed to become the GRAM GoSite.
The concept is for the area to become a 21st century information space for visitors and the community -- a centralized location where people can find out more about Grand Rapids and its many arts, cultural, entertainment, dining, and lodging options.
Collaboration with and ideas from local organizations, institutions, government agencies, and the community will be used to develop the final plans for the space.
Last week, officials at GRAM announced that Kerri VanderHoff would act as the GRAM GoSite Project Director. VanderHoff currently serves as the Art Museum’s Marketing and Public Relations Director and transition plans are in the works as she shifts to her new role on Jan. 20.
VanderHoff created the initial concept for the GRAM GoSite after attending the Downtown Development Authority’s "Framing the Future" strategic planning sessions in late 2010. The idea that Grand Rapids should have a centralized information center was also proposed by others in the community and it was talked about during the sessions.
“As I walked back to the Art Museum from the session, I looked at the front glass-enclosed corner of the building and it hit me,” VanderHoff says about the idea to use the northwest corner of GRAM for the space.
She then presented her idea to the management staff at GRAM, and after further development, it was presented to and approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in Spring 2011.
After Director and CEO Dana Friis-Hansen came on board, he advanced the project by organizing meetings in late 2012 with stakeholders such as Experience Grand Rapids, the Downtown Development Authority, Downtown Alliance, and others in the community. The concept was met with enthusiasm and he determined that a dedicated project director would be integral in the planning process.
GRAM’s centralized location on Monroe Center is a convenient, easy-to-find place for visitors. VanderHoff says having the GRAM GoSite at the Art Museum also fits with their mission as a welcoming and inclusive community gathering space and collaborator.
While VanderHoff believes she has some unique ideas for the space, she knows that in order for the GRAM GoSite to succeed, the vision has to be collaborative and include participation, information, and idea sharing by others.
“There's such a great pride of place in West Michigan, so much collaborative spirit and the willingness to work together to really show what the city and its people are all about,” she says. “We need to be sure we are inclusive, and that the conversations are allowed to happen before the planning gets too focused."
The framework of a proposed plan will soon be shared with the community to gather input. VanderHoff says she’s also considering focus groups, online surveys, and more to encourage the community to comment and suggest ideas.
“We'll want to pursue ideas that will help make this information and activity center truly innovative and dynamic, a fun and really useful place to stop by,” she says.
A few of the initial concepts include:
- Acting as a starting place for visitors to the city and possible walking tours
- Using technology to share information, including social media tools
- Being a collaborative and comfortable space for locals to meet and share ideas
- Providing a base for media partners to highlight the arts, cultural, entertainment, and other options in West Michigan
“It has to be innovative and go beyond a place to stop in and pick up brochures,” says VanderHoff.
She envisions the GRAM GoSite as a fun, inviting space to share information about Grand Rapids and all it has to offer. And after a couple of years of thinking about this idea, VanderHoff is ready to get started.
“Stay tuned,” she says. “We are just at the beginning of an exciting process.”
More information on the GRAM GoSite will be shared as it becomes available. For now, ideas can be submitted via
email. Here’s how you can find out more information about GRAM:
- Visit the
Grand Rapids Art Museum online.
- Like GRAM on
Facebook.
- Follow
@GR_Art_Museum on Twitter.
Source: Kerri VanderHoff, current GRAM Marketing & Public Relations Director and soon-to-be GRAM GoSite Project Director
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor
Images provided by the Grand Rapids Art Museum.