Andrea Mandala, marketing director of the Rockford Area Visitor’s and Convention Bureau, talked last week about a collaboration with the Rockford Arts Council’s upcoming Spring ArtsScene. (Photo by Jack McCarthy / Chronicle Media).

Rockford’s Spring ArtsScene adds a new partner plus a website and app designed to assist visitors attending this month’s 14th annual event.

The Rockford Area Arts Council announced a collaboration with the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for the April 15-16 event in and around downtown and environs.

“This is a real game-changer for ArtsScene,” said Anne O’Keefe, the Rockford Area Arts Council’s president and chief executive officer, “People are going to be able to access a web-based application to plan their two days of fun. … It’s something that we could not do on our own.”

Officials from the council and RACVB spoke at the announcement event last week at the downtown State of the Art Gallery.

“People can prepare their itinerary in advance they can be sure to visit the spots they don’t want to miss,” said Andrea Mandala RACVB marketing and communications manager. “This is also great for first-time attendees or visitors that can familiarize themselves with the locations.”

The free event — which runs from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and 4-9 p.m. on Saturday — is expected to draw an estimate 10,000 visitors to town. A total of 38 galleries, students and commercial establishments plan to participate.

“The spring (show) has really grown,” O’Keefe said. “It used to be about half the size it is now. It’s proving we have a very vibrant arts community.”

The mobile application is designed to be used on desktop computers, tablets and smartphone devices. To sign up,  Internet users should visit this Web page: http://artscene.downtownrockford.org/.

The site also offers information on participating venues, an interactive map and tools to plan the visit.

Information on the event is also available by visiting www.springartscene.com.

The Arts Council also hosts a larger fall Arts Scene. The fall event — the 28th annual — is set for Oct. 7-8.