Forecast has been recognized as a 2012 Philanthropedia top nonprofit, recommended by experts in the nonprofit field as having high impact. Here's an excerpt of what Guidestar's research uncovered about our organization's work.

Evidence of Impact

Forecast Public Artworks supports and highlights public art locally and globally. They offer grants directly to artists, which gives artists a good deal of creative control over their work and offers an opportunity that is rare for individual artists. They also offer project management support to help them navigate the often tricky world of public arts projects. Forecast also highlights public artwork all over the world through their internationally respected periodical.

Expert Comments

Support for Artists

“They offer grants to artists only, not organizations, and therefore the artist gets to identify projects they are interested in pursuing, not projects that others choose for them. That is an incredibly rare opportunity for artists. Their program encourages, and seeks out, both emerging and established artists from rural and urban areas.They are making a strong effort to reach rural communities and artists.” — Nonprofit Senior Staff

Advancing Public Art

“Their public art magazine is the leading publication for projects across the globe, highlight artists and artwork in the field of public art.” — Other

“They engage in long-term, systemic thinking about the documentation of and support for public art. Also, they have an ability to create a space for whimsy in the public art sphere in a time of scarcity and gloom.” — Nonprofit Senior Staff

Organizational Strengths

Forecast Public Artworks has the benefit of strong staff members and excellent leadership. They are all passionate, knowledgeable, and accessible which helps to push the organization forward in many ways. They also have a reputation for being willing to look outside of the traditional artists and locations to create memorable public arts projects. Their multifaceted approach to supporting their mission is another major plus for the organization. Their periodical, consulting work, and grants programs are just a few ways they are able to support public art.

Expert Comments

Multifaceted Approach

“They have a long history and have developed multifaceted support for the entire process of creating public art through education, grant programs, consulting, and project management. The importance of their extensive library and the Public Art Review periodical is also worth mentioning. The leadership provided by Jack Becker is amazing; his heart is in it.” — Nonprofit Senior Staff

“Their leadership is recognized and respected internationally. Their staff members are very knowledgeable and always willing to pick up the phone. They attract significant funders and their board includes a broad spectrum of people respected in their fields. They make time for regular visits to rural areas of the state to explain their program and services. They are the strongest public art nonprofit in the state, in my opinion. The Director has exceptional knowledge of the field, and those on staff are always willing to share their expertise.” — Nonprofit Senior Staff

Excellent Staff & Leadership

“Jack Becker and Melinda Childs continue to provide the leadership to strengthen and leverage opportunities for the organization to grow. Both staff members have reached out to under-served and under-respected communities in public art to showcase talents outside of mainstream artists. Forecast has a strong brand. Their marketing activities continue to exhibit their strength to highlight their organization’s identity and brand like no other.” — Other

“Their strength is consistent leadership, largely because of Jack Becker's commitment to the organization and the sector. Increasingly the organization is looking at the intersection of public art and the process of creating community through arts activity.” — Nonprofit Senior Staff