2015 ArtPrize Awards 27

Rick DeVos, ArtPrize founder and president, speaks during the ArtPrize Awards at the Civic Theatre in Grand Rapids on Friday, Oct. 9, 2015. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- ArtPrize, the high-profile arts competition founded by Amway heir Rick DeVos, is taking aim at President Donald Trump's policies -- from a ban targeting Muslims to his attacks on the media.

The message on ArtPrize's blog was tweeted out Feb. 9. It comes days after DeVos' mother, Betsy, was narrowly confirmed to Trump's cabinet as U.S. Education Secretary.

Dick and Betsy DeVos have been major financial supporters of the international art competition and festival that has brought worldwide attention and thousands of visitors to Grand Rapids over the last eight years.

They provided the financial backing to launch the competition with a $1.7 million no-interest loan from the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation. The foundation has also picked up the tab for the $450,000 in prizes given away each year.

Betsy DeVos has served on the arts organization's board of directors but was required to step down as part of a divestment of businesses and organizations that could lead to conflicts of interest with her new Cabinet role. Rick DeVos is listed as the chairman of ArtPrize's board of directors, on the organization's website.

ArtPrize contends its message critical of Trump's Jan. 28 executive order of a ban of travelers from seven mostly Muslim nations reflects the organization's mission and 10 guiding principles. The ban has sparked nationwide protests and international criticism. It has also been rejected by the courts, including a federal appeals panel's decision Thursday, refusing to reinstate it.

"Recently the ground shifted, and so far the policies and statements of the current administration have made what were once broadly agreeable sentiments into urgent calls to action," the organization wrote in its post, adding: "...we're compelled to speak out."

ArtPrize says it opposes discrimination, detaining or prosecuting refugees or immigrants, undermining the press or freedom of speech, and preventing any child from accessing a quality education.

The entire message is on ArtPrize's blog page.