Leigh Green Patton joined the Tennessee Arts Commission staff in early 2005 as director of Community Arts Development. In that role, she administrates publicly-funded arts grants for community-based, nonprofit and public entities, manages the agency’s decentralized grant categories, mentors new and established arts councils, coordinates the agency’s consulting resources, and provides development support for emerging arts groups. Leigh works with economic and government entities to endorse the value of the arts in community and economic development, and serves as co-chair of the Community Arts Development Directors national peer group. Previously, Leigh worked as a public relations executive, and was an actor, costumer and director in Nashville and Chicago. She attended Harlaxton College in England and Belmont University's Masters in English program, and is a graduate of the theater training programs at the University of Evansville and the Alabama School of Fine Arts. She lives with her husband and son in Nashville.