Welcome to the Hub

Following the location of the Hub, it's easy to see how the landscape of downtown has changed. Previously, The Hub was the Old Federal Building, now under renovation as part of Kendall College of Art and Design's expansion. So, in its third year, ArtPrize finds a home at 41 Sheldon, formerly the site of the UICA. Now the UICA is bigger, housed in The Gallery on the corner of Fulton and Division.
 
So what is the Hub?
 
"The Hub has always been the central point for ArtPrize," Public Relations Director Brian Burch says, "where people start and finish their journey."
 
Here, you can register and activate your voting abilities. The Hub will host ArtPrize's speaker series. You can rest your feet in the public lounge, where last year's ArtPrize winner, Chris LaPorte's "Cavalry," is on display, and monitor the interactive Twitter feed or view Rapid Growth's own Brian Kelly's photos of the event thus far. There are, of course, differences apart from just a change of venue.
 
"This year," Catherine Creamer, ArtPrize COO, says, "it's slightly different in that the voting stations are not necessarily here; the voting stations are in a location just outside of the GRAM. The hub, this year, still is a robust retail stop and lounge."
 
A casual stroll through The Hub reveals some changes to the old UICA space. The floor has been lacquered, and spaces have changed. Herman Miller has temporarily donated furniture to the Hub, which will be sold off as ArtPrize nears completion. For now, there is a volunteer lounge, a public lounge, an artist lounge, retail and places to acquire information about the event. When ArtPrize ends, the Hub will shrink to office space on one half of the first floor and Compass College of Cinematic Arts will move in, leaving their west side location for a downtown spot.
 
Other things to check out at the hub: three pieces of art from former ArtPrize artists to be given away at the end of ArtPrize, a hacked Xbox Kinect that engages with Twitter, 2011 ArtPrize merchandise.
 
"Points of revenue for us is our retail function," Burch says. "Every item that people buy is essentially a donation to ArtPrize and helps us make this event happen and helps makes future events happen."
 
"All of the venues are open during ArtPrize hours, so to see and experience the work is free and we want to keep it free," Creamer says. "Things like supporting us in our shop and through our website via donation help with that."
 
Merchandise will also be available at ArtPrize venues. Your ArtPrize journey can begin on Sept. 17, as the Hub opens for registration and activation from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. that day. Voting officially begins on Sept. 21. For more information and other related events, visit artprize.org.



J. Bennett Rylah is the Managing Editor of Rapid Growth Media.