Artists promote hope with $500 grants from St. Paul nonprofit

A message of hope from the Instagram feed of Minneapolis artist Asher Edes, who received a $500 grant from Forecast.

Artists are struggling – this we know. Forecast Public Art, a nonprofit based in St. Paul, wants to help. The organization is launching a new phase of its "mini-grants for hope" program, an effort to supply public artists with $500 each to pursue projects in their communities.

During the grant's first phase, Forecast gave $10,000 of its own resources to artists with plans to spread hope, starting with the question "How can we foster community and utilize public space in new ways, even as we shelter in place?" The call was heard from artists around the state — from Bloomington to the Fond du Lac Reservation in Cloquet.

After 368 applications in only two days, 20 artist projects were chosen — among them a produce stand, online classes to sew ribbon skirts and a guided nature walk through Powderhorn Park. Now the nonprofit is trying to raise $10,000 more to support 20 other public artists on GoFundMe.

One recipient is Asher Edes, an artist who reently moved to the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. Edes is using sidewalk chalk to convey hopeful messages during this uncertain time — messages like "home" with a drawing of the earth or "welcome spring." The sidewalk chalk drawings have become conversation starters with neighbors, postal workers and passersby.

Uncertainty about opportunities is ever-present for artists. Edes is unsure that planned performance-based collaborations will happen this summer — or if they'll happen with participants 10 feet apart. But, through it all, "receiving this grant has made me feel hopeful," they said.

In addition to the "mini-grants for hope" initiative, Forecast is supporting artists remotely through commissions, grant reviews and online classes. The organization is also offering public artists free consultations and technical support until May 31.

Liv Martin is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.