Public art practice and urban change: An interview with public art activist Jack Becker

In 2014 Jack Becker was the recipient of the Public Art Dialogue Award in recognition of his contributions to the field of public art. Becker is the executive director of Forecast Public Art, which he established in 1978, and publisher of Public Art Review. Building on Becker’s education in the arts and career experience as an Art in Public Places programme coordinator (Minneapolis) and Arts Development manager (St Paul), Forecast Public Art has developed into a non-profits arts organization that seeks to connect ‘the energies and talents of artists with the needs and opportunities of communities’ and works closely with artists, stakeholders and communities to develop and realize projects responding to their needs.