Patricia Walsh is a seasoned public art expert and artist with over two decades of experience transforming communities through innovative arts initiatives. Her passion for helping people engage with their surroundings has driven her career from its early stages in Santa Fe to her current role as founder of PAW Arts, LLC.

With a Master's in Arts Administration from Boston University and a background in fine arts, Patricia has held key positions in public art administration across the United States. Her experience includes managing San José's 250+ art collection, coordinating Las Vegas's public art master plan, and spending nine years at Americans for the Arts, where she managed public art and community development programs nationally.

As a consultant, speaker, and policy advisor, Patricia has helped hundreds of community leaders implement public art policies and programs that authentically reflect local values, histories, and cultures. Her expertise spans policy development, cross-sector partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and collection management. She has drafted public art ordinances, developed engagement strategies, and created comprehensive resources like the Public Art Resource Center.

Patricia is known for organizing one of the nation's only annual public art conferences and managing the Public Art Network, connecting over 1,000 professionals worldwide. Her partnerships with organizations like the American Planning Association and Smart Growth America have led to local trainings and evaluation projects that cultivate the use of arts in addressing community needs.

A dynamic and engaging speaker, Patricia has presented at national and international conferences on public art trends, community engagement, and policy development. Her talks offer practical insights and visionary approaches to harnessing the transformative power of public art in creating vibrant, expressive public spaces. She has been a key resource for media, providing commentary to publications such as ARTnews, Nonprofit Quarterly, NPR, and the Chicago Tribune.

Through PAW Arts, LLC, Patricia collaborates with government agencies, nonprofits, and foundations to address community needs through the arts. Her services include policy and program development, research and evaluation, and education on the role and care of public artworks.

Alongside her consulting work, Patricia maintains an active artistic practice, finding inspiration in the natural world and expressing herself through painting, drawing, and collage. She is an advisor for the Arts & Planning Division of the American Planning Association and holds memberships in several professional organizations.

Based in Poughkeepsie, New York, Patricia brings a unique blend of practical experience, visionary thinking, and artistic sensibility to her speaking engagements, inspiring diverse audiences to harness the power of public art in community development.

For bookings, contact pwalsh@pawalsharts.com or visit www.pawalsharts.com.

The role arts can play in making spaces more accessible, beautiful and reflective of the local community.