Art Builds Community

Art Builds Community is a women-led, public art planning and consulting firm that brings critical thinking and artists’ perspectives to the creative design of cities, buildings, and infrastructure. We unleash the creativity of artists to create welcoming, human-centered places Art Builds Community is a women-led, public art planning and consulting firm that brings critical thinking and artists’ perspectives to the creative design of cities, buildings, and infrastructure. This firm was founded in 2020 by three like-minded and passionate women who are multidisciplinary and diverse within their cultural, generational, and professional backgrounds and experiences. Barbara Goldstein, formerly of Barbara Goldstein & Associates, has worked as a public art planner, architecture critic, and teacher which allows her to examine how government policy, economic forces, and environmental issues shape our lives. Amanda Rawson is a seasoned arts advocate with a background in art history. She has sat on the boards of arts and cultural organizations, arts advocacy groups, and has facilitated many conversations that support artists in a thriving ecosystem. Quynh-Mai Nguyen is a multidisciplinary social practice artist with a background in design, community organizing, and creative production of cultural arts relevant events, programs, and projects. She uses the power of art and storytelling to help create access and promote the voices of underserved communities. Together they formed Art Builds Community becau As cities and towns develop, it is critical to facilitate a balance between new development and existing cultural assets. Working with public agencies, community groups, and private developers, we devise frameworks that empower artists to participate in shaping changing environments. When artists participate in design, places become more dynamic, engaging, and culturally responsive. Our work builds upon existing cultural assets, valuing the past while welcoming the future.