Your Public Art Guide
Ever Felt Like This?
Suddenly responsible for a public art project with minimal guidance
Unsure where to find the talent you need—from artists to fabrication or conservation
Expected to deliver professional outcomes without specialized expertise
Struggling to convince leadership why public art matters
Navigating complex contracts, community expectations, and technical requirements
Unsure how to evaluate proposals or measure success
You Don't Have to Navigate Public Art Alone
PAW Arts serves as a thought partner for professionals at every experience level, helping you navigate public art policy, program development, and long-term management with confidence. Whether you're tackling your first project or strengthening an existing initiative, we collaborate with you to transform complex challenges into successful outcomes that work within your constraints and strengthen your community.
With 20+ years of experience serving as a thought partner to professionals at every level, PAW Arts is here to help you navigate complex public art policy, program development, and long-term management with confidence while creating lasting community assets that work within your real-world constraints.
Comprehensive Support for Every Stage of Your Public Art Journey
Program Development & Policy
Creating frameworks that set your initiative up for long-term success
Project Management & Implementation
Hands-on management from planning to artist selection, advisory support through installation
Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy
Building community support and internal buy-in for your vision
Collection Management & Long-Term Care
Protecting your investment with proper care and documentation
Training & Capacity Building
Empowering your team with knowledge and tools for ongoing success
Featured Case Study:
Proactive Arts Advocacy in Midwestern Development
The Challenge
A small group of artist advocates in a mid-sized Midwestern city recognized that anticipated development over the next 15-20 years could displace the creative communities that make neighborhoods vibrant. They needed concrete policy solutions to ensure future investment would support rather than displace local artists.
The Solution
We conducted extensive research on comparable cities and drafted three tailored arts-funding ordinance options: a strategic hotel/motel tax update to fund local artists, a percent-for-art ordinance for municipal investments, and a TIF policy creating developer incentives for supporting the creative economy. We also created a comprehensive guide to help the city's planning department develop a full arts and culture master plan.
The Impact
The draft policies successfully demonstrated local artist commitment to city decision-makers, resulting in arts and culture integration into the city's ongoing comprehensive plan—a major win for cultural advocacy. The planning guide positions the city to develop equitable policies that preserve cultural identity while embracing strategic growth.
"This collaborative approach demonstrates how strategic consultation can help cities preserve their cultural identity while embracing growth and change."
Read full article here
Why Choose PAW Arts
Global Perspective, Local Understanding
Having worked across three continents, managed a national conference, and analyzed 700+ public art programs, we bring proven strategies from around the world adapted to your unique community context and constraints—whether you're in New York or New Zealand.
Capacity Building, Not Dependency
Rather than creating reliance, we equip you and your team with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to manage public art initiatives independently and successfully, drawing from global best practices.
Practical, Not Theoretical
Our approach comes from hands-on experience managing everything from a 250+ artwork collection to national conferences with hundreds of professionals. We've navigated the real challenges you're facing, regardless of geography.
Results That Matter
From helping U.S. cities draft their first public art ordinances to supporting public art development in Abu Dhabi, our clients achieve measurable outcomes that strengthen communities and build lasting legacies worldwide.
Ready to Collaborate?
Based in the Mid-Hudson Valley, New York, we work with clients across the United States and internationally to create exceptional public art experiences within real-world constraints.
What You Can Expect:
Clear, actionable strategies tailored to your resources and constraints
Practical tools and frameworks you can use immediately
Connection to the specialized expertise you need when you need it
Ongoing support that builds your team's confidence and capabilities
Next Steps:
Email me at pwalsh@pawalsharts.com to schedule a discovery call to discuss how we can turn your public art challenges into community assets that last.
2024, Cross-department meeting of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Photographer: Pete Duvall of Anything Photographic