ArtsLab

This June, a landmark gathering of some of the world’s leading providers and brokers of online public art resources took place in Baltimore, Maryland. A well-known leader––Jack Becker, Executive Director, Forecast Public Art––convened the meeting, co-sponsored by the Public Art Network of Americans for the Arts. Attendees committed to a process of identifying needs and opportunities to advance public art by collective action. The meeting confirmed the importance of Forecast’s plans to build a bold new website.

In 1978, Jack helped start Forecast in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Forecast has grown to be a mainstay of public art through consulting, artist services, and its national journal. In 2008, following a heart transplant, Jack deepened his thinking about legacies. Likewise, the organization soul-searched as part of ArtsLab’s evaluative and reflective processes, leading to a realization of Forecast’s obligation to share its storehouse of public art knowledge and expertise.

Staff and board developed strategies to make Forecast’s resources available worldwide, using digital tools as well as enhanced communications and human connections. Major funders and public art supporters have responded enthusiastically to Forecast’s accelerated growth and expanding sphere of influence. The University of Minnesota is digitalizing and indexing the entire content of Public Art Review. NEA and the Andy Warhol Foundation funded an online version of the journal. Beneficiaries will be current and future generations of public artists, educators, policymakers, and others creating or facilitating public art. Ultimately, it’s a bequest for the public.