We were lucky to catch up with Patrick Fisher recently and have shared our conversation below.

Patrick, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Risk-taking has been a constant theme in my life, often born from necessity but ultimately driven by the belief that growth lies on the other side of uncertainty. In 2012, I found myself in Erie, Pennsylvania, living on $16,000 a year and burdened with over $70,000 in private student loans. My finances were suffocating, and the path forward seemed uncertain. That’s when I took a leap of faith and moved to Alaska for a job that offered nearly four times my previous salary.

Living in a dry cabin in Fairbanks—without running water—was unconventional, but it taught me self-reliance and resilience. After three years, I negotiated a fully remote role, converting a van into a camper and hitting the road across North America with my three-legged dog. It was a liberating chapter of my life, removing the weight of rent and utilities while reshaping my relationship with material things. With limited space in the van, I stopped buying what I didn’t need and focused instead on aggressively paying down my debt.

By the time I parted ways with my employer in late 2015, my student loans had been reduced by two-thirds, but I was still at a crossroads. Exiting my job forced me to confront what I truly wanted from my career. I realized that I wanted my work to serve others, to have a purpose beyond a paycheck. I decided to pivot to the nonprofit sector, even though I knew it wouldn’t be easy.

The transition was humbling. I applied to over 500 jobs and was repeatedly met with rejection. After holding a director-level role in Alaska, I couldn’t even get callbacks for entry-level positions. The rejection tested my confidence, but it also sharpened my resolve. Finally, I found an opportunity with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville in Florida. It was an entry-level role, but it represented a foot in the door—and a chance to start fresh.

I took the job with the understanding that I could take initiative and address gaps in the organization’s service model. Within six months, I carved out a new position for myself by demonstrating the value of accessibility and a service-oriented mindset. Two years later, I was recruited to serve as Executive Director of an arts council in another market, and five years after that, I joined the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council as CEO.

Each of these transitions was a risk—whether financial, professional, or personal. But what I’ve learned is that risk isn’t about recklessness; it’s about trusting in your capacity to adapt, to learn, and to grow. The arts have always been my anchor, offering a lens to see not just what is, but what could be. My unconventional journey—living in a van, couchsurfing abroad, or starting over in new cities—has taught me that the greatest rewards come from stepping outside your comfort zone.

The arts have the power to transform individuals, neighborhoods, and communities, and my own story is a testament to that. Risk-taking is never easy, but it’s the space where possibility lives. For me, it has been the bridge between survival and aspiration—a path I’m committed to helping others navigate through the power of the arts.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an innovative and dynamic leader deeply committed to the intersection of the arts and community building. In 2023, I joined the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council as CEO, bringing with me a diverse background shaped by unconventional life experiences. From traveling across North America in a van with my three-legged dog to living in a dry cabin in Alaska and couchsurfing abroad, these adventures have shaped my sense of self and fueled my passion for using the arts as a tool for social transformation.

My career in the arts began in 2016 when I joined the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. Later, as Executive Director of Erie Arts & Culture, I deepened my dedication to fostering inclusive, community-driven cultural experiences.

As a culture worker, I am committed to dismantling barriers to access and participation in the arts, particularly in under-resourced communities. I believe in the power of the arts to inspire individuals, organizations, and neighborhoods to move beyond survival and embrace collective aspirations. My approach is rooted in activism, focusing on empowering residents, artists, and culture-bearers to actively shape the social and cultural fabric of their communities.

My work centers on amplifying voices and identities and creating spaces where people connect emotionally to the places they inhabit through creative expression. I lead with a strong belief in the transformative power of the arts to build social connections, promote equity, and foster inclusive cultural engagement.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

To best support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem, society needs to fundamentally reassess how it values the contributions of artists. While the arts are celebrated for their cultural, social, and economic impact, there’s a persistent contradiction: we applaud the outcomes of creative work, yet we often undervalue the labor, time, and talent that make those outcomes possible.

Artists are among the few members of the working class consistently asked to work without equitable compensation. They’re expected to donate their time and skills for “exposure” or to support causes deemed more pressing. But exposure doesn’t pay rent. It doesn’t buy groceries. It doesn’t create financial security or a nest egg for retirement. This dynamic reinforces systemic inequities and devalues the vital role of artists in our communities.

We don’t ask other professionals—whether bankers, engineers, or construction workers—to work for free or to contribute their labor without fair pay. Artists deserve the same respect. If we want to build a thriving creative ecosystem, we need to start by compensating artists equitably for their work. That means factoring the full cost of their time, materials, and expertise into budgets, whether for public art projects, performances, or education initiatives.

Beyond compensation, we need to create structures that provide long-term stability for artists. That includes affordable housing, access to healthcare, and retirement planning resources. It also involves ensuring that artists are included in policy discussions about the role of culture in society and that their voices are heard when decisions impacting creative industries are made.

Supporting artists isn’t just an investment in individual livelihoods—it’s an investment in the collective well-being of our communities. When artists thrive, they enrich our neighborhoods, challenge us to think differently, and help us build more equitable and connected societies. To truly value the arts, we must begin by valuing the people who create them.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

As someone who has spent the last 10 years immersed in the arts, I’ve often noticed that individuals sometimes view the artistic journey through a lens of mystique or misconception. There’s this pervasive idea that artists are simply born with an innate gift that allows them to create effortlessly. While talent and passion may provide a starting point, the reality is far more nuanced—and far more human.

True artistry isn’t just a matter of inspiration striking like lightning. It’s the result of countless hours spent honing one’s craft, often in solitude, with persistence and resilience. Talented artists create significant work because they commit to their practice, constantly exploring and refining their understanding of materials, processes, and ideas. They approach their work with curiosity and discipline, evolving through trial and error, learning as much from failures as from successes.

This journey is also deeply personal. Artists draw from their unique perspectives—how they see themselves, how they experience the world, and how they respond to its complexities. This is what shapes their work and gives it authenticity. It’s not just about skill; it’s about connecting that skill with meaning and purpose.

If I could offer insight to those who don’t consider themselves creative, it would be this: Creativity is less about a rare gift and more about a mindset. It’s about curiosity, exploration, and the willingness to engage deeply with a process. Anyone can embrace this way of thinking, and in doing so, they might discover their own capacity for creativity. And even if you don’t make art yourself, understanding the dedication behind it can deepen your appreciation for the artists who enrich our world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pittsburghartscouncil.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pghartscouncil
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pittsburghartscouncil/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greater-pittsburgh-arts-council/
• Other: My personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fisherpatrick/

Image Credits

Event images from the Greater Pittsburgh region taken by Patrick Fisher.