GRAM launches Media Arts Center partnership with WOOD TV8
WOOD TV8 to broadcast year-round from permanent studio location
GRAND RAPIDS, MI, April 26, 2017 – The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) is excited to announce it has entered into a one-of-a-kind partnership with WOOD TV8 to form the GRAM WOOD TV Media Arts Center. The long-term agreement provides a permanent studio location at the Museum, overlooking Rosa Parks Circle in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.
“With its central location and iconic building in the heart of downtown, the Grand Rapids Art Museum seeks to serve as both a cultural beacon and a civic anchor,” stated GRAM’s Director and CEO, Dana Friis-Hansen. “The Media Arts Center, a collaborative partnership with WOOD TV8 and GRAM, is the first time a museum has served as a news and community programming destination, production center, and media display experience. We look forward to our continued relationship with WOOD TV8 and further enhancing the vibrancy of our city center.”
The location at GRAM was originally designed for community engagement activities and programming, serving most recently as the GoSite, whose functions are now carried out in the Museum’s lobby as The Welcome Center. WOOD TV8 and GRAM began their partnership in 2012, broadcasting from a temporary studio each year during ArtPrize.
“This new partnership allows 24 Hour News 8, eightWest and Maranda Where You Live to be in the heart of the city throughout the year for big events in Rosa Parks Circle” according to Kevin Ferrara, Director of Operations for WOOD TV. “We’ll continue to use our market leading, technology-driven studio in Heritage Hill but will broadcast the Noon newscast daily from downtown.”
The Museum will offer educational programming with the Media Arts Center for students of all ages, which is currently in development. Participants will have access to experiences that expose them to different art forms and a variety of perspectives.
“The Grand Rapids Art Museum is thrilled to extend its partnership with WOOD TV8 year-round as the Media Arts Center,” commented GRAM’s Chief Operating Officer, Neil Bremer. “Imagine your 12-year-old, who is already shooting videos on their smartphone, visiting GRAM and learning that their creativity has no limits. This first-of-its-kind collaboration will explore media arts through presentation, broadcast, and educational activities in a way that I believe will inspire our audiences throughout West Michigan.”
“24 Hour News 8 is dedicated to providing breaking news, weather, and investigative coverage to all of West Michigan. Our news team is expanding and we’re excited that it’ll give us a greater ability to be connected to issues that are important to the community,” News Director Dan Boers explained.
The Media Arts Center will launch its first broadcast on Wednesday, April 26th at 7 pm.
About the Grand Rapids Art Museum
Connecting people through art, creativity, and design. Established in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, the Art Museum is internationally known for its distinguished design and LEED® Gold certified status. Established in 1910 as the Grand Rapids Art Association, GRAM has grown to include more than 5,000 works of art, including American and European 19th and 20th century painting and sculpture and more than 3,000 works on paper. Embracing the city’s legacy as a leading center of design and manufacturing, GRAM has a growing collection in the area of design and modern craft.
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