Public Art, Creative Districts Shape Washington Communities, Retiring ArtsWA Director says

By: Paul W. Taylor

Outlets: TVW

Published: June 25, 2026

Words: 659

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

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Washington’s investment in public art has grown into one of the state’s most visible cultural assets, according to retiring ArtsWA executive director Karen Hanan, who says the benefits extend well beyond aesthetics.

During an exit interview on TVW’s Inside Olympia, Hanan told host Austin Jenkins that her 12 years as leader of the Washington State Arts Commission was built on the twin goals of public art as both a community-building tool and an economic …

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