Mural Arts Institute Announces New Opportunity for BIPOC-led Environmental Justice Organizations.

Does your BIPOC organization have an interest in addressing Environmental Justice issues through the Arts? Mural Arts Philadelphia’s new Art & Environmental Justice Co-Learning Initiative, Strength Through Solidarity, may be just the opportunity for you.

The primary goal of Strength Through Solidarity is to support participatory public art processes to advance environmental justice goals and strengthen long-term advocacy work in front-line communities. The Mural Arts Institute will accept three organizations into this multi-year program, providing each with a range of tools, supports, learning opportunities, and over $260,000 in funding. We are now seeking applications through the link below.

Our pedagogy takes into account that every place is unique and that each place brings its own values, assets, and challenges. Our processes are adaptable, and our learning experiences can provide guidance. We offer customized support and align our advice and assistance to efforts being carried out in your region.

To date, six locations in different regions have participated in deep learning engagements customized to specific goals and needs. With this opportunity, the Art & Environment Capacity Building Initiative is entering its third iteration—now as the Art & Environmental Justice Co-Learning Initiative. Our previous collaborations include Akron, OH; Detroit, MI; Memphis, TN; in 2017 and Austin, TX; Kern County, CA; and Santa Fe, NM; in 2020.

Strength Through Solidarity Application

Strength Through Solidarity FAQ (PDF)

Strength Through Solidarity Scoring Rubric (PDF)

Established in 2017 as an initiative of Mural Arts Philadelphia, the Mural Arts Institute (MAI) is dedicated to sharing knowledge, ideas, and experiences that have shaped our approach to community centered art making with a global audience.

At its core, MAI seeks to build connections, sustain relationships, and share skills about the practices that have been instrumental in creating works of public art with Philadelphians. We work with artists, arts administrators, and community leaders across the world to align knowledge, amplify voices, empower change, and distribute resources that move us all towards a more inclusive and equitable future of socially engaged public art.

Are you looking to deepen community relationships and expand your creative practice?

Our experienced team members, advisors, and facilitators will help you plan your next project or program, expand your mural-making expertise and co-develop strategies centering your community’s leadership. Contact institute@muralarts.org if you are interested to learn more.

Download a menu of Customizable Learning Options

We offer learning and training focused on

Designing projects or programs to achieve social impact
Using equitable participatory practices in public art projects and engagement
Structuring accessible place-and-people-based creative spaces and programs
Engaging with community-driven regenerative cultural practices
Practicing equitable reflection and documentation strategies
Developing and managing public/private partnerships
Artist recruitment, selection, and capacity building
Murals, mosaics, and other mural-based production techniques
Project management tools and guidelines

Check out our Resources or Recordings pages for the most recent case studies and tools to expand your knowledge and practices in this field.

The Mural Arts Institute offers professional development for individuals through annual training and incubator programs geared towards artists and creative leaders. Our capacity-building initiatives seek to support organizations and local ecosystems through subgrants and cross-country cohort co-learning experiences.

It’s amazing how much can be shared and sowed in such a short time, I left the incubator already wanting to come back for more.

- Ariella, 2023

The Mural Arts Institute is funded through the JPB Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, with founding support by the Kresge Foundation.

Mural Arts Institute