Grand Rapids arts institute readies new location

Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts officials are counting down the days to move into the organization's new location with a series of events, starting with an online auction on Friday. UICA will be selling a number of items that won't be needed in their new location as part of this auction. On Friday, UICA will host NoshNight: Swap Meet, offering guests the opportunity to swap their old artwork for something new. On Wednesday, May 11, UICA will screen "The Last Picture Show' with discounted show times throughout the day.

Anonymous

May 4, 2011

UICA will also host a garage sale June 2–4 — prior to the final event, a Moving Day Parade, on June 30. At this event, staff and volunteers will form a human chain to transfer moving boxes from 41 Sheldon Blvd. to the new UICA home at 2 W. Fulton in Grand Rapids.

Incorporated on April 26, 1977, the organization has grown from its grass-roots beginnings on Front Street to its premier location at the crossroads of downtown.
UICA will be closed to the public beginning Saturday, May 14, but will kick off a week-long series of opening events at 2 W. Fulton on July 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This will be followed by The Odd Ball, a ticketed event offering performances by nationally respected artists and an artfully prepared menu that will compliment the evening’s “expect the unexpected” theme.

The Odd Ball will celebrate the completion of the first phase of the institute’s capital campaign, allowing the organization to move into the first three floors of the facility. It includes a larger film theater, dedicated youth and ceramics studios, expanded exhibition spaces, and an office suite.

The Odd Ball will be hosted by Dick and Betsy DeVos, Hank and Liesel Meijer, Mark and Cathy Bissell, and Kate Pew Wolters.

More information about each event can found on the UICA website (http://uica.org) or by calling 616-454- 7000, ext. 20.