06/03/2007
Contact:
Virginia Anagnos
Goodman Media for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 222 or virginia@goodmanmedia.com
Americans for the Arts Presents the 2007 Public Art Network Award to Jack Becker
LAS VEGAS, NV — June 3, 2007 — Americans for the Arts today presented the 2007 Public Art Network (PAN) Award to Jack Becker, executive director of FORECAST Public Artworks, at its annual meeting held this year in Las Vegas, NV. The Public Art Network Award was created to recognize and honor innovative and creative contributions and commitment in the field of public art.
“Jack Becker helped define the field of contemporary public art,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “He is an accomplished artist and an exemplary leader in community arts, creating ongoing model programs that bring art and artists into communities. His innovation and dedication has been recognized regionally and nationally in the public art field.”
Jack Becker is founder and executive director of the 29-year-old nonprofit FORECAST Public Artworks. As an artist with experience in theater and the visual arts, Becker has applied his creativity and creative problem-solving skills in many directions. Becker typically focuses on projects that connect the ideas and energies of artists with the needs and opportunities of communities. He has facilitated more than $2 million in commissioned art projects, organized over 70 exhibitions, 60 publications, and dozens of public events. Becker previously served as Art in Public Places program coordinator for the City of Minneapolis, arts development manager for the City of St. Paul, and instructor at the College of Visual Arts, St. Paul. He has taught subjects ranging from business for fine artists to issues in contemporary art. He has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including Public Art Saint Paul, Handpapermaking Magazine, the Minnesota Craft Council, and the Public Art Network.
The Public Art Network, a program of Americans for the Arts, is designed to provide services to the diverse field of public art and to develop strategies and tools to improve communities through public art. The Network’s constituents are public art professionals, visual artists, design professionals, as well as communities and organizations planning public art projects and programs.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 45 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
