As Director of Historic Artists Homes and Studios (HAHS) at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Valerie leads a consortium of 61 independent historic sites and museums, across 25 states, that are preserved homes and studios of visual artists. HAHS is the only network in the nation dedicated to telling a site-specific story of our country's art history. HAHS provides mentorship, peer-exchange opportunities, and best thought leadership for its member sites, including interpretative models. Through annual public programming, and active advocacy, Valerie amplifies these sites to larger public audiences, while also celebrating current innovative interpretation at member sites. Through the continued expansion of HAHS membership and ongoing mentorship of living artists, descendants, and stakeholders planning for site-based artistic legacy, Valerie and HAHS are committed to telling a fuller story of artistic heritage which includes artists and communities historically underrepresented including African American, Asian American-Pacific Islander, Latinx, Indigenous, self-taught, and women artists. Her professional career includes previous interpretative, administrative and curatorial work at several preserved artists sites. As a public and art historian, Balint believes in the critical role that sites of creativity play in illustrating the intersectionality of art, preservation, interpretative placemaking and public engagement.