FORWARD: Issue #8: Civic Health

Table of Contents

From the Guest Editor

Artists Renewing Civic Life How artists are building infrastructure for a lasting democracy

FORWARD's sixth Guest Editor is Richard Young, founder of CivixLex, a nonprofit in Lexington, Kentucky dedicated to strengthening civic health at the local level.

Read Richard's Essay

Featured Interview

What's the Role of Artists in Civic Systems?

With Reanne Estrada and Mike Blockstein, co-principals of Public Matters, an award-winning Los Angeles-based creative studio for civic engagement.

Their work joyfully practices good mischief to humanize civic systems, using art as a lever to center community and inspire radical change.

Explore our Interview

Case Studies

How artists are already building resilience and renewal in the civic realm

Building Civic Knowledge
Fostering Civic Relationships
Generating Civic Transformation

Toolkit

Resources for making connections across sectors and working creatively in the civic realm

With a creative dream ordinance from Chicago-based cultural strategist Amanda Carlson.

Visit Toolkit
Dream Ordinance

About

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FORWARD Team

Publisher Theresa Sweetland

Project Manager Jen Dolen

Guest Editor Richard Young

Curator of Partnerships & Programming Mallory Rukhsana Nezam

Senior Editor Jon Spayde

Contributing Writer Ben Stanley

Copy Editor Loma Huh

Editorial Assistant Emme Sugnet

Forecast Consulting Advisor Jen Krava

Accounting Andi Cheney

Publisher Theresa Sweetland

Project Manager Jen Dolen

Guest Editor Richard Young

Curator of Partnerships & Programming Mallory Rukhsana Nezam

Public Art Now Guest Curator Ebony Dumas

Contributing Writer Ben Stanley

Senior Editor Jon Spayde

Copy Editor Loma Huh

Editorial Assistant Emme Sugnet

Forecast Consulting Advisor Jen Krava

Accounting Andi Cheney

Image: Hey, We Need to Talk! is an exhibition title that conveys artist Philippa Pham Hughes’s sense of urgency about our political divisions as well as her commitment to the ideal of civil conversation as a way out of poisonous polarization. The lush wallpaper in that Ann Arbor exhibition space, designed by Detroit artist Ouizi (Louise Jones), depicts all 50 state flowers and symbolizes the flourishing of civic and community life.

Explore this project

From the Guest Editor

Artists Renewing Civic Life How artists are building infrastructure for a lasting democracy

FORWARD's sixth Guest Editor is Richard Young, founder of CivixLex, a nonprofit in Lexington, Kentucky dedicated to strengthening civic health at the local level.

Read Richard's Essay

Featured Interview

What's the Role of Artists in Civic Systems?

with Reanne Estrada and Mike Blockstein, co-principals of Public Matters, an award-winning Los Angeles-based creative studio for civic engagement.

Their work joyfully practices good mischief to humanize civic systems, using art as a lever to center community and inspire radical change.

Explore our Interview

Case Studies

How artists are already building resilience and renewal in the civic realm

Building Civic Knowledge
Fostering Civic Relationships
Generating Civic Transformation

Toolkit

Resources for making connections across sectors and working creatively in the civic realm

With a creative dream ordinance from Chicago-based cultural strategist Amanda Carlson.

Visit Toolkit
Dream Ordinance

Public Art Now

Leading voices sharing public art of the moment

Four works advancing civic engagement in the field of public art.

Guest curated by Ebony Dumas, Director of Planning + Engagement at Forecast Public Art.

Browse Ebony's Collection

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FORWARD: Issue #8

Civic Health

© COPYRIGHT 2025 FORECAST PUBLIC ART ISSN 2768-4113