New Event To Generate Ideas and Prize Money

ArtPrize founder Rick DeVos today announced 5x5 Night (pronounced “five by five”) a new event to be held the last Tuesday evening of each month in Grand Rapids. Five presenters will have five minutes each to sum up their ideas with five slides. Five judges will then decide which idea(s) will win up to $5,000.

“A culture that innovates is a culture that shares a lot of ideas. I think we can do more of that sharing in our region and 5x5 is designed to help,” says DeVos.

Any type of idea can be submitted to www.5x5night.com. From art projects to new businesses to events, the evening is designed to promote idea sharing from many disciplines. A week before the event, organizers will select up to five applicants to present their ideas. The basic presentation outline requested explains:

• Who you are
• The idea
• Impact of the idea
• What a $5,000 grant will do for the idea

The first 5x5 is set for Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum Cook Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5. When presentations are complete, visitors will move to Reserve Wine Bar for drinks, conversation and the announcement of the evening’s winner or winners.

“To borrow what I say about ArtPrize, 5x5 Night is really about the conversation,” says DeVos. “The first hour is a primer, the second hour is when people connect to other people and their ideas.” 

5x5 is hosted by Pomegranate Studios, a business incubator chaired by DeVos. He and Bill Holsinger-Robinson, president of Pomegranate Studios, will be on the first panel of judges along with a other local entrepreneurs who have yet to be named.

See www.5x5night.com for details on judges, rules and the application process.