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Over the past 35 years, Mural Arts Philadelphia has created thousands of murals, partnering with city agencies, grassroots organizations — even developers. Murals strengthen social capital and “placekeeping” in under-resourced neighborhoods. They support community-based revitalization efforts and present historical and social narratives that promote belonging and inclusion. Philly’s murals not only are cherished for their artistry and the stories they tell, but also are recognized as the vanguard of social and economic change.
Explore the dynamics of mural-making in Callowhill and North Broad — an area that has seen dramatic change over the past decade. At first, murals announced the presence of a community holding on against disinvestment, reminding people of its stories and struggles. A decade ago, as creative industries began to seek out this rough-edged neighborhood and plans for the elevated Rail Park bore fruit, a new generation of urban artists began a dialogue about reclaiming public space.
Now, new development is threatening to erase this legacy. Learn from community leaders, Mural Arts staff, and artists about the potential for public art to spur placekeeping and reclamation, and the challenge of making sure this creative legacy endures. Presenters focus on how the mural-making process gives voice to communities, brings its stories into the public consciousness, and builds social capital. Learn how mural making is an inclusive creative process that involves diverse participants and opens employment opportunities they otherwise could not access.
Learning Objectives:
Develop community art processes that build social capital and advance “placekeeping” goals.
Build public, private, and community partnerships that advance public art projects.
Shape public art processes based on equitable practices – giving voice to marginalized communities, building a diverse pool of artists, and sharing power among artists, communities, and arts organizations.
