GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The private development group leading the push to build Acrisure Amphitheater has raised 95% of the venue’s $70 million capital campaign, and it’s asking the public to consider donating to help it close the gap.
“This is more than a concert venue—it’s a generational investment in the cultural and economic future of Grand Rapids,” said Tripp Frey, co-chair of Grand Action 2.0’s Next Wave Campaign. “We’re calling on everyone who cares about music, arts, community and our city’s future to help make it happen.”
Acrisure Amphitheater, a 12,000-capacity music and entertainment venue located along the Grand River at 201 Market Ave. SW, is scheduled to open in May.
The $184 million venue is being funded through $114 million in public money and $70 million in private donations. One of the major private donations was a $30 million naming-rights agreement with Grand Rapids-based financial technology company Acrisure.
Public funding includes a $30 million state grant, publicly backed bonds set to be repaid with revenue from Kent County’s 8% hotel tax, a $17.2 million transformational brownfield tax incentive approved by the city of Grand Rapids and the Michigan Strategic Fund, and more.
The publicly owned venue will be operated by the Grand Rapids–Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA), which also oversees Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and DeVos Performance Hall.
“This is your venue, your city, your moment,” said Todd Custer, who also serves as a co-chair of the Next Wave Campaign. “Whether you can give $10 or $10,000, you can be part of the next wave of cultural energy and civic pride in Grand Rapids.”
Rich MacKeigan, the CAA’s executive director, has said the venue is expected to host between 30 and 35 concerts in its first season. Cultural and community events could be hosted there as well.
The first peek at the venue’s opening-season concert lineup was unveiled last week, when officials announced that country pop star Russell Dickerson is set to perform at the amphitheater on May 30, 2026.
Those who wish to donate to the capital campaign can do so at grandaction.org/donate.
Though donations of all amounts are welcome, there are perks for those who provide a bigger financial gift, Frey said.
Donors who provide $1,000 will have their names appear on a plaque at the venue, he said. In addition, the first 500 people who donate $2,500 will receive membership in the amphitheater’s “Garden Club,” which provides early access to lawn tickets for the amphitheater’s first year of operations.