GRAND RAPIDS, MI – ArtPrize 2014 is launching a suite of tools that will change how visitors experience the sixth annual exhibition and $560,000 competition.

The latest advancement in technology on ArtPrize's website as well as on its mobile apps will better answer questions of where to go, what to see, and how to experience ArtPrize.

New tools include a feature to create lists of art to see, a feature to create a route to view them, and the ability to share both with others.

Also new is an updated interactive map to help visitors explore more of the city of Grand Rapids beyond ArtPrize during the event opening Sept. 24.

The Listing feature, the centerpiece of technology development for ArtPrize 2014, integrates into every piece of ArtPrize's technology platform, according to Jonathan Hunsberger, ArtPrize director of technology.

“Our goal was to enable our users to organize and share information with each other quickly and easily, ultimately answering the questions 'What should I go see?' and 'How do I get there?'" Hunsberger said. "Perhaps one of the best developments in lists this year was the ability to generate walking directions from any list you want.”

The Listing feature allows anyone with an account at ArtPrize to browse the 1,536 entries competing in ArtPrize 2014 and create and name any number of lists of art they plan to see, from "My favorite 3D works" to "Art I want Mom to see."

Related: ArtPrize 2014: More art, more venues, more foreign artists than last year

Each List can be renamed and annotated with a 140 character description, made public or private, and shared with the world through social media, email, and text message.

"The ArtPrize audience and its appetite for art have grown tremendously, and technology has played a vital role in that growth,” said Christian Gaines, ArtPrize executive director. “This latest iteration of both the ArtPrize mobile apps and website with their new features and functionality is a huge step towards ensuring that our visitors are completely dialed-in to everything ArtPrize has to offer."

The Listing feature is currently live on ArtPrize's website. List creating begins on the redesigned Find Art page. Viewers simply click the Save button below any given entry or on the entry profile page and either select an existing list or create a new one.

Viewers who don't have an account will be prompted to create one to proceed.

Related: ArtPrize 2014 shifts prize money from popular to juried vote, adds categories to public vote

ArtPrize's mobile apps for Apple and Android devices are expected to be released on Sept. 22.

Once ArtPrize mobile apps are available, visitors will be able to manage their lists on the go, which can be converted into a route with the most efficient walking directions to see all of the works included on any given list.

The Routing feature will give visitors the opportunity to explore the event comprehensively, venture off the beaten path, and create their own ArtPrize experience.

ArtPrize's redesigned interactive map, now available on a dedicated web page, will be integrated with its mobile apps.

Powered by Experience Grand Rapids, the map will help visitors explore more of the city including cultural attractions, restaurants and brewpubs in the region. Content from the ArtPrize Event Calendar, showing visitors what events are happening near them at any given time, will be integrated with the map

ArtPrize will supply its own featured lists, created by ArtPrize 2014 jurors and local art experts, and culled from public vote data, to guide visitors to see work that art experts are excited to see and to inform visitors about what entries are trending well in the public vote.

Related: ArtPrize 2014 unveils jurors who will award $100,000 at sixth annual event

The 2014 ArtPrize mobile apps, which will be updated continuously during the 19-day event, will keep visitors up-to-date with the latest ArtPrize news and events with real-time information including how to participate in the public vote that will award $280,000 in prize money on Oct. 10.

Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk covers arts and entertainment for MLive and The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at jkaczmarczyk@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.