Change Lab Research Fellow - Civic Engagement Grant

Change Lab Research Fellow - Civic Engagement Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Forecast Public Art
Amount: US $5,000
Last Updated: July 21, 2025

Summary

The Change Lab Research Fellow - Civic Engagement position at Forecast Public Art invites talented individuals to explore the intersection of public art and civic engagement. This six-month fellowship offers a $5,000 stipend for research aimed at fostering democratic participation through public art. The selected Fellow will conduct in-depth research, develop a public-facing report, and contribute to a national public art policy platform focused on justice and human dignity.

Overview

Forecast Public Art Forecast is a non-profit arts organization founded in 1978 by and for artists working in public space. Based in Saint Paul, MN and working both locally and nationally, Forecast connects artists with cities, institutions and communities to courageously tackle the vital issues of our time. 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 and/or Native artists, and groups that are traditionally excluded. Our Mission: Forecast activates, inspires, and advocates for public art that advances justice, health, and human dignity. Change Lab In the Change Lab, we catalyze new thinking, test new approaches, and creatively disrupt the status quo to advance justice in the field of public art. We also pilot new ways of working within the field of public art and allied fields through cross-sector partnerships, on the ground research, and deep community engagement, working with communities to address inequities in all facets of public art. Change Lab Research Fellows Forecast’s Change Lab Research Fellows go deep into an area of critical importance, and apply findings to collectively develop a national public art policy platform rooted in justice, health and human dignity for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. Through the Change Lab, reports developed by Fellows will become a model of change for public art programs, policies, and processes. Each fellowship is based around a specific research topic, and is open to graduate students, recent college grads, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, artists, and public art professionals. The fellowship is a 6-month long, funded position with a $5,000 stipend. Fellows work from their home base and can be located anywhere. Working knowledge of public art in the US and some experience with research in the topic area is important. Change Lab Research Fellow - Civic Engagement Our fourth Change Lab Research Fellow will focused on Civic Engagement and Public Art. Forecast’s Change Lab seeks its fourth Research Fellow to explore how public art contributes to civic engagement and democratic participation. We’re looking for a Fellow to research and articulate how artists are renewing civic life by using public art to foster connection, knowledge, and change, especially for historically excluded communities. The resulting report will contribute to a national public art policy platform, rooted in justice, human dignity, and democratic vitality. Duration: 6 months / 200 hours (remote) What You’ll Do as a Fellow Over a 6-month period (200 hours total), the selected Fellow will: Conduct in-depth research into the intersections of public art, civic life, and democracy-buildingInvestigate how artists are building civic infrastructure such as tools, spaces, relationships, and systems that help people participate more fully in public lifeDevelop a public-facing report that shares research findings, insights, and recommendations for public art policies and programs across the countryInfluence the development of a national public art policy platform th

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Graduate students, recent college graduates, doctoral/post-doctoral researchers, artists, and public art professionals with research experience, a working knowledge of public art in the U.S., and some experience in research in the specified topic area are encouraged to apply.