Open Letter to the Philadelphia Community:

The Mural Arts Program (MAP) started in 1984 as a component of the Anti-Graffiti Network. As part of this city-wide initiative to eradicate graffiti and address neighborhood blight, the Anti-Graffiti Network hired mural artist Jane Golden to reach out to graffiti writers, redirecting their energies from destructive graffiti to constructive mural painting. In 1996, the City of Philadelphia recognized MAP as a separate program, distinct from the Anti-Graffiti Network. At the same time, the Mural Arts Program established a non-profit, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates, with a broad mission of youth development and neighborhood revitalization through the arts. In eight years, MAP has evolved into a nationally recognized public/private initiative engaging diverse groups of youth, artists and neighborhoods in the creation of art.

As a public art program serving the City of Philadelphia, the Mural Arts Program works in partnership with communities, grassroots organizations, city agencies, schools, and philanthropies to achieve the following goals:

• Develop sustainable partnerships with community organizations in order to create murals that reflect the community's culture, history, and vision
• Catalyze community development, neighborhood activism, and civic pride
• Foster youth development through experiential art education and mentorship with professional artists
• Support artists and artisans in sharing their talents and experiences with youth and communities in Philadelphia
• Use the power of art and the mural design process as tools for community engagement, blight remediation, beautification, demonstration of civic pride, and prevention and rehabilitation of crime.

Given the large number of murals we paint each year, budgetary realities and our commitment to making murals a meaningful part of youth and community development, we are now requiring that ALL murals go through a competitive selection process.

The purpose of this letter is to let you know how you and/or your community group can request a mural and the process we will be using to decide what murals we paint each year.

A panel comprised of Mural Arts Program staff, muralists and community art experts will review all mural applications. The following criteria will be used:

1. Submission of a complete application by the deadline
2. Community and/or organizational support for and involvement in the mural
3. Commitment of mural sponsors to organizing at least two (2) community meetings with Mural Arts Program staff and artist, including nearest neighbors to the wall
4. Availability of a suitable wall
5. Significance of project: artistically, for the community or institution, for youth and/or for Philadelphia as a cultural tourism destination, and/or for the Mural Arts Program
6. Capacity and commitment to maintain the property at the base of the wall
7. Innovation - we are looking for creative, important and innovative projects. Make your pitch and convince us that your mural should be at the top of the list!

For your mural project to be considered, you must complete the application packet [PDF, 179K] and submit it to the Mural Arts Program by close of business on the day of the deadline (either March 15th or November 15th).

Submissions can be delivered by mail or in person (faxed applications will not be accepted) to:
Mural Arts Program
Attn: Mural Application
Thomas Eakins House
1729 Mt. Vernon Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Requests for applications and all questions or concerns should be addressed to:
Cathy Harris, Director of Community Murals
Telephone: 215-685-0755
Email: cathy.c.harris@phila.gov

Thank you for your interest in the Mural Arts Program! We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,
Jane Golden
Director