Image above: Artist Dwight Mickelson and City Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug pose under the 64th Avenue pedestrian bridge spans I-29. Jason Leonard, City of Fargo Engineering
Fargo Public Art Impact Report |
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For more than a decade, the City of Fargo’s Arts and Culture Commission invested in public art to enhance public spaces, engage the community, and strengthen Fargo’s identity as a cultural hub and destination. But after years of supporting projects across the city, commission members faced a practical question: What difference had those investments made?
They needed a way to look across the body of work, understand its impact, and demonstrate the value of public art to city leaders, artists, residents, and the broader community. Over several months, Reach Partners compiled evidence that public art brings together multiple sectors, leverages funding beyond city investment, and engages volunteers. To do this, Reach Partners collected community impact data from public art projects and interviewed artists about the ways public art commissions influenced their careers. Reach Partners also created a comprehensive inventory of public art projects in the city. One of the biggest challenges was gathering information that existed across multiple sources. “What stood out most was Reach Partners’ approach. They were organized, thoughtful, adaptable, and deeply committed to listening. They skillfully gathered both quantitative and qualitative data while creating an environment of trust and respect,” said Monika Browne-Ecker, chair of the now defunct commission. To communicate the results, Reach Partners designed a visual, story-driven resource that documented the commission’s work and created an inventory of projects that could be used well into the future. The ResultReach Partners transformed scattered records into a clear, accessible story. In the process, Reach Partners helped preserve an important chapter of Fargo’s cultural history while providing city leaders and community partners with tools they can use. The Arts and Culture Commission has used the data and the visuals to better tell their story via social media and when advocating for arts to the City Commission.
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Type and Duration of Work
What Reach Partners Did
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As Chair of the City of Fargo Arts and Culture Commission, I worked with Reach Partners during the development of the Ripples of Impact Report. One of our goals was to better tell the story of the Commission's achievements and the tangible and intangible value of public art over the past decade.
The report provided something we had never previously compiled: a body of evidence demonstrating the impact of public art on our community. It showed how public art brings together multiple sectors, leverages funding beyond city investment, and engages thousands of volunteer hours. More importantly, it illustrated how art helps neighborhoods tell their stories, fosters belonging, and creates opportunities for community members to see themselves reflected in the places where they live.
Reach Partners helped transform assumptions into evidence. The report gave us credible, locally grounded data that strengthened advocacy efforts and demonstrated to elected officials that residents value and engage with public art every day.
What stood out most was Reach Partners' approach. They were organized, thoughtful, adaptable, and deeply committed to listening. They skillfully gathered both quantitative and qualitative data while creating an environment of trust and respect. I would recommend Reach Partners to organizations in any sector seeking clarity, meaningful engagement, and a partner committed to helping them achieve their goals.
The report provided something we had never previously compiled: a body of evidence demonstrating the impact of public art on our community. It showed how public art brings together multiple sectors, leverages funding beyond city investment, and engages thousands of volunteer hours. More importantly, it illustrated how art helps neighborhoods tell their stories, fosters belonging, and creates opportunities for community members to see themselves reflected in the places where they live.
Reach Partners helped transform assumptions into evidence. The report gave us credible, locally grounded data that strengthened advocacy efforts and demonstrated to elected officials that residents value and engage with public art every day.
What stood out most was Reach Partners' approach. They were organized, thoughtful, adaptable, and deeply committed to listening. They skillfully gathered both quantitative and qualitative data while creating an environment of trust and respect. I would recommend Reach Partners to organizations in any sector seeking clarity, meaningful engagement, and a partner committed to helping them achieve their goals.
Monika Browne-Ecker
Theatre B Executive Director and
City of Fargo Arts and Culture Commission Chair
Theatre B Executive Director and
City of Fargo Arts and Culture Commission Chair