Forecast Public Art activates, inspires, and advocates for public art that advances justice, health, and human dignity.
Forecast supports artists, partners, and communities throughout the entire process of creating public art that advances justice, health, and human dignity. We partner with decision-makers and stakeholders on arts and cultural planning efforts, and support public artists with funding, training, and opportunities to create partnerships and advance their public art careers. We also help others find, select, curate, fund, and commission public artists. Forecast emphasizes access for artists of color, indigenous artists, and groups that are traditionally excluded.
Forecast firmly believes that culture and creativity are important drivers of creating a more just society. As one of the country’s first nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing the field of public art, we are called to advocate for and advance public art practices that advance justice, health and human dignity. We are invested in public art that plays a crucial role in creating a sense of belonging, and supporting people to realize their potential and live healthy lives.
What is public art?
Public art plays a crucial role in shaping our culturally vibrant and sustainable communities. Artists of all disciplines are treating public space as a venue for creative experimentation. Public art offers opportunities for community collaboration, for ideas to shape our environment, and to influence change. The definition is always expanding — performance art, interventions, land art, and wrapped buildings are just some examples — and artists are redefining public art every day.
Grant Amount: $2,500 - 4 grants
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 (11:59pm CT)
Grant-Funded Period: January 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026
Grant Intentions: This grant supports early-career artists in public art related research and development or with the planning phase of freely accessible public art installation or activity in Minnesota. Activities could range from research to planning, community dialogues, site or budget development or model building.
*Please contact the Forecast Grants team if you need help submitting your application at jenk@forecastpublicart.org
Find support on our website grants page.
Grant Amount: $8,000 - 2 grants
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 (11:59pm CT)
Grant-Funded Period: January 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026
Grant Intentions: Early Career Artist Project Grants support the creation of a temporary or permanent public artwork anywhere in the state of Minnesota by a mid-career Minnesota-based public artist.
*Please contact the Forecast Grants team if you need help submitting your application in English at jenk@forecastpublicart.org
Find support on our website grants page.
Grant Amount: $5,000 - 2 grants
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 (11:59pm CT)
Grant-Funded Period: January 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026
Grant Intentions: This grant supports Minnesota-based mid-career artists seeking to expand or advance their careers in the field of public art. Funding can be used to support the development of a project idea or to participate in activities that will help applicants further their careers as public artists. Professional development activities can range from residencies to apprenticeships, conferences, travel, study, skill development, and the creation of project models or prototypes, as long as the overall outcome is to advance the applicant’s public art career. Please see the definitions of public art and mid-career below. Professional Development grants may be used for the development of proposals for other public or nonprofit agencies; however, commission or client-based work is not eligible.
*Please contact the Forecast Grants team if you need help submitting your application in English at jenk@forecastpublicart.org
Find support on our website grants page.
Grant Amount: $10,000 - 5 grants
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 (11:59pm CT)
Grant-Funded Period: January 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026
Grant Intentions: Mid-Career Artist Project Grants support the creation of a temporary or permanent public artwork anywhere in the state of Minnesota by a mid-career Minnesota-based public artist.
*Please contact the Forecast Grants team if you need help submitting your application in English at jenk@forecastpublicart.org
Find support on our website grants page.