Art Education
In Philadelphia opportunities for young people to participate in the arts have steadily diminished in recent years. Renewed focus on core curriculum, the pressures of high-stakes testing, and other funding priorities have left arts programs in public schools vulnerable. As a result, hundreds of schools in Philadelphia have no full-time art teacher and many of Philadelphia's youth are without positive and structured after-school activities.
I always liked art, but I never had any experience before I came here. You can express your
feelings through art.
—Antoine, 13 years old, Mural Arts Program Art Education Student
The Mural Arts Program is filling this void through a variety of targeted art education programs including Big Picture, Mural Corps and ArtWorks!. These programs not only teach mural-making and other fundamental art skills, but inspire students to become artists, organizers, and leaders in their communities. Through these programs, we serve close to 2,000 youth at over 50 neighborhood sites in Philadelphia.
Instructor James Burns demonstrates the parachute cloth technique for two Mural Corps participants. Photo credit: Jack Ramsdale.
The Mural Arts Program believes in serving young people over a sustained period of time and our art education programs are developed for sequential learning. For example young people enrolled in the Big Picture and ArtWorks! program can matriculate into the intensive Mural Corps program and eventually become an instructor or assistant muralist on a project of their own.
As much as these murals have contributed to the beautification and revitalization of the city of Philadelphia, the Mural Arts Program must be congratulated even more for engaging the youth of Philadelphia-providing education, promoting art appreciation and affording ample opportunity to create.
—Edward G. Rendell, Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
It is the Mural Arts Program's belief that if young people are equipped with a strong sense of self, knowledge of their potential, and a connection to the world around them, they will be better prepared to make wise decisions and choose positive paths throughout their lives.
All programs and workshops are free of charge. Sign up today. Download an application. [134K PDF]
For more information about our art education programs, contact Maneesha Sane, Assistant Director, at 215.685.0726, or maneesha.sane@muralarts.org.